Leonard Sledge, who previously led economic development in Hampton and an Atlanta suburb, has been named the new director of economic and business development for Richmond.

Mayor Levar M. Stoney announced Mr. Sledge’s appointment Monday as a permanent replacement for Peter Lee Downey, who left last year after seven years as the city’s chief development official.

Since then, two people have held the job on an interim basis, Douglas Dunlap, now director of housing and community development, and Jane Ferrara, who will continue as deputy director under Mr. Sledge.

Mr. Sledge, who began work Monday with a starting annual salary of $145,000, reports to Sharon Ebert, who was named in March as deputy chief administrative officer for economic and community development.

“The city of Richmond is growing, and we need to pursue development that expands our tax base, is community-oriented and expands opportunity for our residents,” Mayor Stoney stated. He cited Mr. Sledge’s “background in local government and his record of informed, principled decision-making indicate he’s the right person.”

Since November 2017, Mr. Sledge has served as executive director of the Henry County Development Authority outside Atlanta and previously spent four years as economic development director in Hampton.

During his 13-year career, he also directed economic development for the College of William & Mary and served as a workforce development director for the Virginia Community College System and an Arizona community college.

Now 46, Mr. Sledge earned undergraduate degrees from Morehouse College and Georgia Tech and a master’s in business administration from the University of Phoenix.