The Pitt County Board of Elections named interim director Dave Davis to the permanent post Tuesday.

Davis will fill the role vacated by Steven Hines in March. Davis, deputy director since 2003, had served as interim director since Hines' departure.

Davis said he was hoping to get the job, and he believes his experience will make it a smoother transition.

"The deputy works hand-in-hand with the director as far as putting on the elections, so I was thinking my being here for a little while would help with the change," Davis said. "Every county does things a little bit different, and just having someone here in the office who knows how Pitt County has been conducting elections and how that process goes here is important. There isn't an abrupt change like if someone totally new had come in and had to learn the ropes."

Davis will be responsible for the supervision of every election conducted in Pitt County.

His duties include overseeing candidates' filings, staffing precincts, training poll-workers, maintaining registration records and addressing polling places.

He also will manage the elections staff.

"We are very excited about David's appointment," Pitt County Board of Elections Chairwoman Lillian T. Outterbridge said in a release. "We know he is going to do an outstanding job in continuing his work with the citizens of Pitt County to give them every opportunity to participate in the election process."

Prior to joining Pitt County, Davis served as the family court case manager for the 8th Judicial District. He is a graduate of East Carolina University. He also is overseeing this year's second primary on June 24.