Russell H. Smith of Aquinnah has been named as the next Dukes County manager. In a special meeting Friday morning, the Dukes County Commission voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Smith to the position, which has been vacant since August.

Mr. Smith has worked as the legislative liaison for the Vineyard since 1996. He will continue to serve in that post until the end of the calender year. He is also a former Aquinnah selectman. Mr. Smith was a finalist for county manager during a search last November. At the time, the county commission voted to readvertise the position.

“We are pleased and we are looking forward to the relationship and Russell coming on board,” commission chairman Leslie Leland said following the meeting Friday. “We have a lot of work to do.”

A complete story about the new county manager will appear in the Friday, April 11 edition of the Gazette.