Larisa Sims will be appointed as Covington's new assistant city manager during a press conference at 4:30 this afternoon at .

The position of assistant city manager has been vacant since Larry Klein was named city manager on July 14.

Klein said that Covington mayor Denny Bowman and the Board of City Commissioners have expressed a desire to obtain a professional planner for the city, and that Sims' background as regional planning manager for the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) makes her well-suited for that job.

"Covington will benefit greatly now and in the future from long-term planning at the highest levels of City management," he said. "Larisa has broad and extensive experience in planning issues related to land use, transportation, and other infrastructure critical to a successful community."

Prior to joining OKI as senior planner in 2005, Sims held a similar position at the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission and has served as staff and ex-officio member of the Kenton Conservancy.

She also has served on various boards, including being elected as the first woman president of the American Planning Association – Kentucky Chapter, being appointed by the American Institute of Certified Planners to the Planning Accreditation Board, and being appointed by Governor Steve Beshear to the Geographic Information Advisory Council.
Sims will begin her new job on November 18.

"It is an honor to be selected to serve the citizens of Covington," Sims said. "I am excited to work alongside Mr. Klein, city staff, Mayor Bowman and the Commissioners to implement the vision for the City. Exciting things are happening, and I look forward to being a part of them."

Photo courtesy of OKI.