LansingCurrent.com

A familiar face is returning to Lansing as the city's first finance director.

William Lundberg, who served as Lansing's city administrator for eight years in the 1990s, will begin his duties in the newly created post on Nov. 1.

"His strengths really are in finances and budgets," said City Administrator Mike Smith, who served as police chief under Lundberg before being named Lundberg's replacement in 2000.

Lundberg has 14 years of experience in local government administration, including his eight in Lansing as administrator. Lundberg left the city to become city manager of Highland Village, Texas, northwest of Dallas. He has since left that job and had been working as finance manager for a business in China, Smith said.

Smith announced Lundberg's hiring in a news release Monday.

"We are pleased with Will's interest in the position, given his extensive experience in local government finance and his demonstrated commitment to the Lansing community," Smith said.

Mayor Kenneth Bernard said Lundberg's parting from Lansing six years ago was amiable and was due in part to his desire to be closer to his and his wife's family.

Bernard agreed with Smith's assessment of Lundberg's skills.

"He's a great numbers guy," Bernard said.

Lundberg's salary will be $62,000, Smith said.