Mayor Bill Haslam has announced that Community Development Administrator Becky Wade has been appointed to lead the City of Knoxville's Community Development Department beginning January 1, 2011.

Wade, who has extensive experience in community development, replaces current Community Development Director Madeline Rogero - who is resigning to run for mayor.

Rogero's last day as the director is December 31.

Rogero, a former Knox County Commissioner, became director of the city's Community Development Department in late 2006.

Under her leadership Community Development successfully completed the $25.6 million Community Empowerment Zone Program. The department has completed over 50 façade improvements for businesses in the core of the city and assisted over 350 low and moderate income citizens renovate homes or become homeowners as part of its effort to revitalize the city's central neighborhoods.

Community Development also partnered with the Knox Housing Partnership to develop the first affordable gold-certified LEED houses in Tennessee and has adopted green building practices for its housing programs.

"As Madeline leaves this position to pursue other ventures I want to take this opportunity to thank her for the great job she has done for the City of Knoxville," Haslam said. "I will always be grateful to Madeline for the professionalism and team spirit she brought to this department."

Wade joined the city in early 2007 to manage the city's neighborhood codes enforcement office before moving to Community Development in October of that year. Her duties have included planning the use of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Department funds received by the city and making sure the city's programs are in compliance.

Prior to joining the city Wade spent 31 years with Knoxville's Community Development Corporation where, as HOPE VI Director, she led KCDC's ambitious $46 million revitalization of the Mechanicsville Neighborhood.

Wade, a 1974 University of Tennessee graduate, started as a counselor with KCDC and also worked as a public housing manager, a program administrator and assistant to the KCDC's executive director.

"We're very fortunate to have someone with Becky's background and experience to step into this important role," Haslam said in a note to city employees.

Wade's title will be deputy director for Community Development.