<p>Kim Puzey, Port of Umatilla general manager, was appointed to the EOTEC board. He fills a vacancy left by Buzz Brazeau, who took a job in western Oregon.</p>

Now appointed, Kim Puzey was seated Friday morning, not in the audience but as a member of the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center Authority Board.

After interviewing four people to fill a vacant position on the EOTEC Authority Board, Umatilla County Board of Commissioners appointed Puzey Thursday to hold the voluntary post.

Puzey, the general manager for the Port of Umatilla, fills a position left open by Buzz Brazeau, who resigned before after taking a position in Western Oregon.

Puzey has been chosen among four interviewed for the position: Tammy Dennee, Don Miller and David Wright. Commissioner Larry Givens called the selection process very deliberate and a close call.

It was the first appointment made by Commissioner Bill Elfering, who praised Puzey for his experience.

Anyone of the applicants would do us proud, but we could only choose one, Elfering said. Im certain that Mr. Puzeys experience and intellect will benefit EOTEC moving forward.”

Puzeys experience includes serving as chairman of the Blue Mountain Community College Board of Directors, according to a press release from the board of commissioners.

According to the intergovernmental agreement between the city and the county, the preference of Puzeys position was to be given to an individual involved in Umatilla County Fair activities and was to be recommended to the EOTEC board by the members of Umatilla County Fair Board. Puzeys term will expire Dec. 31, 2014.