Heather Johnston has been promoted from the city ranks as the new city manager of Burnsville.

Johnston, the city's director of administrative services and chief financial officer, will start her new job April 16, succeeding Craig Ebeling, who retired from the city manager's post at the end of March.

Mayor Elizabeth Kautz said the City Council chose Johnston because of her experience and knowledge of local government. "Her leadership skills, energy, passion and personality fit the culture we have fostered here in Burnsville," she said.

Johnston has overseen the city's departments of finance, information technology, communications and community services and the office of city clerk.

Before coming to Burnsville, Johnston was director of the management and budget division for the city of Minneapolis and held state and federal jobs as well.

She holds a master's of public administration from George Washington University in Washington D.C., and a bachelor of arts in political science and communication from Augsburg College.

Johnston lives in Eagan with her husband and two children.

Ebeling had been city manager since 2003. He began his career with the city as the assistant city engineer in 1987. He moved on to become city engineer in 1988 and deputy city manager for parks, planning and public works in 1993.

LAURIE BLAKE