Lake County is reopening its nationwide search for the position of Lake County Administrator. 

Earlier today, Lake County Administrator William T. Panos announced that he has accepted a new position to be the Director of the North Dakota Department of Transportation. Panos will serve as the Lake County Administrator until Oct. 18, 2019.  

An acting County Administrator will be named prior to Panos' departure. 

Lake County recently conducted a national search that resulted in Panos being appointed to the position. That search attracted a high-quality applicant pool of more than 50 candidates.

“While we are disappointed that Bill has decided to accept a position in North Dakota, we are confident in our ability to attract top talent to fill this important position,” said Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart. “Lake County is recognized nationally for its good governance and its strong leadership in the public policy arena. Geographically, we are in a desirable community to live, work and play. We know we will be able to attract a leader with exemplary qualifications who will be able to move Lake County forward."

Meanwhile, Lake County today announced the appointment of a new Deputy County Administrator and Assistant County Administrator, who are beginning their roles immediately.   

James D. Hawkins was hired as Deputy County Administrator, and Matthew Meyers was hired as Assistant County Administrator. 

Hawkins has been serving as Project Manager for the Lake County 9-1-1 Consolidation Implementation Planning Project since 2018, and served for more than 27 years as a Naval Officer, retiring as a Captain. Prior to that, as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Station Great Lakes, he was responsible for a population of 20,000 people, 50 tenant organizations and a $140 million operating budget. Under his leadership, Great Lakes was recognized by the U.S. Navy as "Best Installation" within Naval Region Mid-Atlantic in 2016 and 2017, and by the Chicago Federal Executive Board as "Federal Agency of the Year" in 2017.

Meyers has been serving as Interim Assistant County Administrator since March, and has been the Deputy Director for the Lake County Planning, Building and Development Department since 2016, where he has overseen the operations and budget of the Divisions of Building and Engineering, and Planning and Development. Meyers managed the implementation of the permitting, licensing and code enforcement system across six County departments, and  has successfully negotiated intergovernmental agreements that have increased efficiencies and provided cost savings for municipalities and Lake County.