The city of Columbia has named Erin Keys as its next Utilities director. She will begin her role on Sunday, according to a news release by the city manager's office.

Keys has spent more than 25 years working at the city of Columbia designing, managing and directing infrastructure improvement projects in both the Utilities and Public Works departments. According to the news release, she has served as the Utilities department's interim director since March.

She has also served as acting assistant director for the Electric utility, assistant director for the Sewer and Stormwater utilities, acting engineering supervisor and engineer with the city.

Keys' education includes a bachelor of civil engineering from The Catholic University of America, located in Washington, D.C. She is also a registered professional engineer, according to the news release.

"I look forward to continuing to support our excellent staff in the work they do to provide the various utility services to our customers and to engage with the community to move forward with some very important infrastructure projects for the long-term sustainability of our utilities," Keys said in the news release.