Special Adviser Named for HUD Transition Period

President-Elect Donald Trump has asked William Russell, executive director of Florida’s Sarasota Housing Authority, to serve as special adviser in the transition to a new leadership configuration at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports that Russell has received an extended leave of absence from his job in order to serve as a special adviser to HUD Secretary-Designate Dr. Ben Carson. The former neurosurgeon completed a hearing before the Senate Banking Committee, but no vote has been scheduled yet for the full Senate to confirm him for this position. The Trump transition team has yet to nominate a HUD deputy secretary or the seven assistant secretaries at HUD, and these positions will also require Senate confirmation.

Russell previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for public housing at HUD before moving to Sarasota in 2005. He is expected to be working with the new administration for the next four to six months.