Rene Almaraz, Richmond’s director of procurement, has been named interim deputy chief administrative officer for finance and administration.

City officials announced the appointment in a release that also confirmed Brandon Hinton, Henrico County’s deputy manager of administration, will return to his previous role on Monday. Hinton had served as Richmond’s DCAO since May 29 at the request of Henrico County.

“It takes a special person to come into a completely unfamiliar work setting and dig in for the greater good,” Mayor Danny Avula said in a statement on Hinton’s exit and Almaraz’s selection. “I appreciate his dedication and willingness to roll up his sleeves to move the work forward.”

Almaraz has worked in the Department of Procurement Services since 2022 and has more than three decades of experience in the Department of Defense and the private sector. The department was recognized last year with the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Procurement Institute.

He has played a central role in recent discussions and changes to the city’s purchasing card system, which has undergone reforms following reports of problems and allegations of abuse, fraud and waste by city employees.

Almaraz is also the latest temporary hire in Richmond city government. His appointment follows the hiring of Odie Donald II as the city’s permanent chief administrative officer, succeeding interim CAOs Sabrina Joy-Hogg and Sharon Ebert. Donald began his new role Wednesday.

Additional leadership announcements, including a permanent deputy CAO, are expected later this month.