Mayor Patty Lent announced the appointment of a new Public Works and Utilities director Wednesday after a three-month search period to replace the fired head, Phil Williams.

Vincent Akhimie, current director of Public Works in Riviera Beach, Fla., has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Washington. He will take over the department starting July 22 if the City Council approves his appointment at its June 16 meeting.

He is slated earn more than $108,000, at the bottom of the pay scale for his position.