Richard Osgood of Sharonville was hired Nov. 17 as Miami County’s new development department director.

Osgood fills the position vacated with the August resignation of Craig Thompson, who held the job for two years.

Osgood’s hiring is effective Dec. 3. He will be paid $88,000 a year.

Commissioner Jack Evans said he "very enthusiastically" made the motion to hire Osgood.

"This was a long search. We believe we found a very good candidate," said Commissioner John "Bud" O'Brien.

The commissioners said they received about 20 applications and interviewed three candidates.

"We have high expectations for you. We know you won't let us down," O'Brien told Osgood.

Osgood said he spent the morning before the commission meeting driving the county including going through Tipp City, West Milton, Covington and Piqua on his way to Troy.

He said he saw a lot of people Christmas shopping and music playing in downtowns before stopping for lunch in downtown Piqua.

"I am very much looking forward to it," Osgood said of his new job.

A native of Vermont, Osgood most recently worked for almost 20 years in Sharonville as community development director. He listed experience in planning, zoning, building code enforcement, property maintenance enforcement, economic development support, flood plain management and storm water district administration.

He and his wife of more than 30 years have two sons and four grandchildren.

In other business last week, the commissioners approved a request by the sanitary engineering department to award prizes in its annual recycled ornament contest for area students.

The purchase of $240 in gift cards for prizes was approved.