ROCKFORD — The Rockford Housing Authority looked in-house to temporarily replace CEO Larry Williams, who left his post for an out-of-state housing agency last month.

Chief Operating Officer Laura Snyder was announced Tuesday as the interim CEO. She has been with the RHA for 19 years, and will begin her post Saturday.

A national search for a permanent CEO is underway to replace Williams, who resigned Dec. 29 to join the District of Columbia Housing Authority. Williams was on the job for less than a year, taking the reigns from Ron Clewer, who left in March for a job in Milwaukee.

Synder was named COO March 21. She told the Rockford Register Star she plans to apply for the permanent position. She’s earned several certifications and performed an array of duties during her tenure, including her part in creating a Rockford Police unit to patrol RHA properties and other security-related programs.

The Rockford Housing Authority is a municipal corporation governed by a board of five commissioners appointed by the mayor of Rockford. Board officers are elected annually by a majority vote. The CEO serves as the board secretary.

The RHA employs more than 60 people who perform a variety of functions necessary to service its residents and maintain its housing stock. R.