Islands’ 911 chief picked

Herald staff

OAK HARBOR — A former Island County commissioner has been picked to lead operations of I-COM, the 911 dispatch center for Whidbey and Camano islands.

Earlier this week, the I-COM board unanimously confirmed the appointment of Tom Shaughnessy as executive director. Shaughnessy was a former member of the I-COM board who took over as I-COM’s interim director after the unexpected death of Kathy McClymont in March.

Shaughnessy, 47, is a Camano Island native who served as a county commissioner from 1995 to 1998, and is former executive director of the Island District Economic Development Council.

He was picked for the post following a three-month selection process that included more than a dozen candidates.

"Several applicants were well qualified and received serious consideration by our review committee," said Island County Sheriff Mike Hawley, chairman of the I-COM board.

Shaughnessy was a natural for the position, Hawley said, and the interim director rose to the top out of many quality candidates from across the country.

Shaughnessy also got high marks from I-COM dispatchers and staff, who signed letters supporting his selection as the agency’s permanent director. The job pays $68,000 a year.

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