Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 3, 1993                   TAG: 9311030259
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

EX-MAYOR ANDERSON TO HEAD HOUSING BOARD

Anderson, who was mayor in the early 1960s, succeeds Rob Glenn, who stepped down after nearly three years as chairman of the agency's board of commissioners.

Glenn gave up the position because he said he believes leadership should be shared and no one should hold the job too long.

Anderson, a Republican who is general counsel for Shenandoah Life Insurance Co., was appointed to the board last year after he lost a bid for a political comeback in a race with Mayor David Bowers, a Democrat.

City Council appoints the board members, but the board chooses its chairman.

Anderson was on council from Anderson 1958 to 1962, mayor from 1960 to 1962 and a member of the House of Delegates from 1963 to 1971.

Glenn said the agency has undergone a tough transition in the past 18 months with the firing of Herbert McBride, longtime executive director, and the hiring of Neva Smith to succeed him.

"We have been through some turbulent times, but we have come through it well," Glenn said.

Glenn said he is convinced the agency made the right choice in hiring Smith.

"We have a world-class leader. I hear it from the residents, the staff and the community," Glenn said.

He said the board has given the staff a vision that is needed to guide the agency.

Anderson said the authority has changed the face of Roanoke with its redevelopment and housing projects in the past three decades. And the agency's work is not finished, he said.

Anderson said Glenn has guided the agency well during difficult times.