The Richland City Council has selected a longtime Pacific Northwest National Laboratory leader to fill the vacant position.

Todd Samuel is the current research group manager for the building systems group at PNNL where he is focused on research, development, testing and evaluation of building energy, environmental and water systems. He has worked at the national lab for 30 years and is listed on two patents.

He is a member of Leadership Tri-Cities Class 12, as well as a board member of the Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council and Mid-Columbia Symphony Society. He also sits on the city’s planning commission and code enforcement board.

After reviewing applications and conducting interviews during a Jan. 27 special meeting, the council appointed Samuel to the position.

He will be sworn in at the Feb. 3 council meeting and will serve until the candidate elected in the Nov. 3 general election takes office.

The vacancy occurred after deceased council candidate Donald Landsman was elected to the position in November.