Following a national search and competitive interview process, the City of Tacoma has named Linda Villegas Bremer to be director of the Human Rights and Human Services Department.

Bremer has served as interim director of the department since Sept. 9, 2010, and she steps into her permanent role today, with a starting salary of $131,684.

Bremer is a veteran manager who served as the Director of Washington’s General Administration Agency and as a member of the Governor’s Cabinet until earlier this year, when she was appointed as a member of the state’s Liquor Control Board.