Columbia annouces new Housing and Neighborhood Services director
Madison Stuerman
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia City Manager De’Carlon Seewood has announced his pick to be the next Housing and Neighborhood Services director.
William Rataj will start as the new director on Sept. 29.
Rataj has previously worked as the director of housing with the City of St. Louis Community Development Administration since 2014. He has worked in community development for 29 years, according to the release.
“Rataj’s experience working in housing in Missouri will be beneficial to Columbia as we continue to explore implementing recommendations from our recent housing study, completed in partnership with Boone County,” Seewood said in a release.
Rataj has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. He is also a certified housing development finance professional.
He was one of three finalists for the role.
A spokesperson for the City Manager’s office told ABC 17 News the previous director, Rebecca Thompson, became the Deputy City Counselor for the city in April.