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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Dan Wright has accepted a position as deputy director of the Baldwin County 911.

His last day with Chilton County e911 will be on May 8.

He accepted the job on March 10.

Terra Scott has been named the interim director, and Kelly Smitherman will be the interim assistant director.

“They are well qualified and have been an integral part of the daily operations,” Wright said.

He said it should be a “seamless transition.”

Wright found out about the opportunity in Baldwin County in January.

“Part of our long-term plan had been to move to the Gulf Coast at some point in our lives, and so that opportunity came, and (I) researched and thought about it, discussed with some mentors of mine,” Wright said.

He said the position was a good move on a personal and professional level. He is looking forward to being near the beach and working for a larger 911 district.

“I am looking forward to the challenges and the opportunities that that brings,” Wright said. “(I’m) looking forward to being able to take the lessons learned and some of the successful programs that have been implemented over the years here and be able to model some things at Baldwin County off of those.”

A major accomplishment during Wright’s time as director has been to get the county’s multiple emergency agencies and funding governments to sign on to an agreement for the construction of a countywide communications system. This project will move forward, even after Wright’s departure.

“That was one of my main concerns during this hiring process,” Wright said.

Baldwin County 911 has agreed to let Wright continue to offer help on this project during the transition.

The Chilton County 911 Board approved Wright as a temporary special projects coordinator to work on the countywide communications system.

“That will allow me to stay on in a limited role and ensure that the radio system project to continues as it is going — which is correctly ahead of schedule,” Wright said.

Oher highlights from his time as director include implementing a pay scale for employees with a higher starting pay rate, being debt free, operating on a balanced budget each year and using the most recent technology available.

These technological advances will continue with the addition of a text to 911 in the near future.

Wright has been with Chilton County e911 for 19 years and became director in 2011.