NEWARK, N.J.—Mayor Ras Baraka has picked a Washington, D.C., housing official to lead economic development efforts as the city attempts to build on recent investments and continue to reinvent itself.

After a nationwide search, Allison Ladd will begin in August as director of Newark’s Department of Economic and Housing Development, leading an agency focused on attracting new employers and building new housing. She will leave her current position as deputy director of Washington’s Department of Housing and Community Development.

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