Dr. Ken Tucker has been chosen by the University of West Alabama to direct its economic development efforts, once headed by the late James Mock.

Tucker, who is a member of the Marengo County Commission, will become the interim director of the university’s Regional Center for Community and Economic Development. The recent death of Mock created a void in the center’s administration and university leaders felt Tucker’s background would lend itself to the duties of the director.

Tucker said he was approached about the position by Holland on Jan. 10 and asked to come to an interview the next day. He said following the interview with Holland and university Provost David Taylor he was offered the position.

Tucker said his role will cover a myriad of responsibilities but the overriding goal of the position will be to act as a facilitator of economic development in the Black Belt regions of West Alabama and East Mississippi. He said he will try to pool the resources of the university and the community to best achieve positive results.

Tucker said he is pleased to be offered the position, but he said he regrets the circumstances which led to the opportunity. Tucker said he knew Mock through the board of directors of the West Alabama Alliance and the two both had children in the same grade in Demopolis.

Tucker said he expects the university to start advertising the position for a permanent replacement in late spring to early summer. He said he expects the position will be filled by the end of the summer.