The Lunenburg County Board of Supervisors appointed James Michael “Mike” Hankins as the interim District 2 Brown’s Store Supervisor during its regular meeting Thursday.

The position was vacated in February following the death of former Supervisor David Wingold.

The board was advised it had 45 days to make an appointment from the date the seat was vacated.

Supervisors considered Hankins and Wanda Morrison for the seat.

Hankins spoke first during the meeting, praising Wingold, who Hankins said was a close friend. According to Hankins, he grew up Lunenburg County and after working for hospitals in the health care field, returned to Virginia 10 years ago to work for a hospital in South Hill.

During his years in health care, Hankins said he worked with budgets ranging from $100,000 to $15 million.

Hankins said he has worked with people from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, and has written articles for newspapers and magazines covering health care management, management and “hunting and fishing.”

Two of Hankins’ biggest goals, he said, are bringing in new jobs to the area and making the education in the county “second to none.”

“Kids that have poor education are going to end up flipping burgers, moving from job to job; there’s really no future for them,” Hankins said. “We need to do everything we can to keep those kids in school and moving on after high school into a trade school or somewhere from that. There are a lot of opportunities there. We need to bring jobs in to give those kids opportunities so they don’t go to Richmond or go somewhere else.”

Morrison spoke to supervisors after Hankins, discussing her ties to the area and her skills as a leader and in dealing with the public.

Morrison graduated from Central High School in Lunenburg. She said she received her Masters of Business Administration and served in the U.S. military, including seven years as a sergeant major.

Throughout her career, Morrison said, she had extensive (experience) in working with the public and enjoys “working with people and for people.”

“I believe my experience and track record makes (me) an excellent fit,” Morrison concluded.

“It’s tough shoes to fill,” Hankins said of the position. “I’ll do my best to honor David and honor the people in the Brown’s Store District and work for the people of Lunenburg County.”

Hankins will serve as the Brown’s Store Supervisor until a special election is held during the next general election in November.

The person elected will serve the remainder of Wingold’s four-year term, serving through Dec. 31, 2019.

Those interested in running for the position must be certified to run by the county’s registrar’s office by Aug. 19.

Those interested in running should contact Registrar Carolyn Parsons at (434) 696-3952 or email cparsons@lunenburgva.net.