The Cambridge City Council moved to appoint Yi-An Huang, the executive director of Boston Medical Center's clinical operations, as the next city manager in an 8–1 vote Monday night.
Huang will help oversee a city budget of nearly $800 million and be a key figure in the municipal government of the state's fourth-largest city.
One of four finalists for the role, he drew high praise from several members of the council.
Alanna Mallon, a Council member and the city's vice mayor, cited conversations she'd had with people who knew Huang in her decision to support him.
"There's not a person that I reached out that wasn't completely impressed by Yi-An Huang and what he could bring to the city of Cambridge," she said.
Council member Patricia Nolan said she believes Huang will bring a fresh perspective to enact progressive change to the city.
"He has a demonstrated ability to get things done and to do things urgently," she said. "And, importantly, to bring people together."
The other finalists were Iram Farooq, the assistant city manager for Cambridge's Community Development Department; Cheryl Watson Fisher, Chelsea's city solicitor; and Norman Khumalo, Hopkinton's town manager.
In the interview process for the position, Huang, a Harvard graduate, drew parallells between the complexities of health care and city government and said he believed he could have a "impact immediately."
Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui said she believes Huang is the best choice for the role, tying into what residents told her they wanted in a leader.
"It was made clear that the next manager needs to be experienced in inclusive leadership, be forward thinking, be progressive and collaborative — and they need to have a deep understanding of Cambridge but a willingness to take the city in a new direction," she said. "These are criteria that I believe Mr Huang has proven that he meets."
Huang will replace current city manager Louis DePasquale, who is stepping down next month.
