PARKERSBURG — A new 911 director was named Monday by the Wood County Commission.

William “Mike” Shook’s appointment was unanimous by Commissioners Blair Couch, Jimmy Colombo and Robert Tebay.

The commission on Thursday interviewed the two finalists, Shook, who was deputy director of Homeland Security and E-911, and Dale McEwuen, a retired Parkersburg Police Officer with over 22 years experience with training, SWAT experience, dispatching and public relations.

“We were lucky to have two quality candidates,” Couch said.

Shook also has 26 years of experience in law-enforcement and has been trained in various aspects of emergency response. Shook was dealing with weather-related issues Monday afternoon caused by the storms.

”I do appreciate their vote of confidence in me,” he said. ”I have definitely hit the ground running (Monday) that is for sure.”

During his interview last Thursday, Shook said he has worked under Wood County Sheriff Rick Woodyard for a number of years when Woodyard was 911 Director. When Woodyard became sheriff, Shook was already handling the day-to-day operations at the center.

Woodyard in January announced he will step down as the 911 director to fully concentrate on his role as sheriff.

“I have worked for the citizens of Wood County for over 30 years, the last 6.5 years as the deputy director of the Wood County Homeland Security/Emergency Management Office (under Woodyard),” Shook said in a letter to the commission. “I believe that the direction I have received and experience I have gained during this time makes me an excellent candidate for this position.”

Having the new building and having a new director requires someone with the knowledge of the current 911 operations as well as the startup of the new building as officials are getting ready to move operations into the building in the coming months, Couch said.

“We think Mike can guide that process,” he said.

With Shook’s appointment, the assistant director’s position is now open and Shook will be looking at candidates, Couch said. The assistant director also oversees the county’s emergency service operations.

“We hope we will find some quality candidates to bring before us,” Couch said.

In other business, the commission announced a vacancy on the Wood County Alternative Transportation Council, hired William C. Thomas as an E-911 telecommunicator and hired Keegan Bush as a court security officer for the Sheriff’s Department.