County replaces two directors at higher salaries
By Staff Reports
Published in News on September 14, 2014 10:24 AM
Wayne County Manager George Wood continues to fill holes in his management staff having hired new directors for the Wayne Executive Jetport and the county's emergency medical services. Both will begin work on Monday, Sept. 22.
The final hire, which is expected at the end of the month, would be for the county's first assistant manager.
Jeremy Hill, who is currently chief operations officer for Johnson Ambulance Service Inc. is the new emergency medical services director, and Dave Fields, currently airport manager for Rockingham County, is the new jetport director.
Hill will be paid $72,166. He fills the position left vacant by former EMS Manager Andrew Coccaro who left June 17. He was earning $55,001 annually.
Fields will be paid $51,074 and assumes the office that had been held by Doug Lancaster who left May 22 and who was earning $44,120 a year.
Hill previously coordinated and taught in the EMS and fire programs at Lenoir Community College and has been a regional specialist with the N.C. Office of Emergency Medical Services.
Wood noted that Hill brings more than 16 years of EMS experience to the job.
"Jeremy Hill has a strong background not only as a field paramedic, but as an academic instructor and training officer, assistant EMS director, and chief operating officer of EMS operations," Wood said. "He understands the operational and training issues confronting EMS, as well as the staffing and financial considerations.
"He is well versed in all aspects of emergency medical services, and we are pleased to have him join the Wayne County management team directing this critical operation."
Wood said that Dr. Terry Grant, Wayne County EMS medical director, and Beverly Deans, head of the Wayne Community College EMS program, were instrumental in the hiring process.
They helped to develop the key criteria for job candidates and worked with Wood in selecting the finalists and conducting the interviews.
Wood thanked Bryan Smith, assistant EMS manager, for acting as interim director during the recruitment process.
Wood said that Fields, the new airport manager, has a solid background in both civilian and military aviation as well as experience managing a county airport.
"He understands the daily operational issues, the capital projects approval process for FAA grant and the financial resources available to counties in North Carolina," Wood said. "He has an emphasis on customer service that we believe is critical to the airport's success.
"We are pleased that he has agreed to join the Wayne County management team, and look forward to working with him to improve our airport operations."
Wood said he appreciated the help of Commissioner Ray Mayo, who is also a member of the Airport Advisory Board, and Buzz Baker, airport board chairman.
The three reviewed the applications and conducted interviews with six candidates for the job.
Wood thanked Sandra Blizzard, office manager for the Office of Emergency Services, for having served as interim airport manager.