A Wisconsin native has been chosen executive director of the Economic Development Council of Jefferson County.

Vic Grassman, 48, was chosen over Michael Brennan, former director of the Bellingham/Whatcom County Chamber of Commerce, in a unanimous vote Friday of the development council’s board of directors.

The vote followed the recommendation of the executive board.

Grassman and Brennan visited Jefferson County in the past month, meeting with government and business leaders.

“Vic had the overall skills to fill the kind of job the economic development council executive director job is,” said Lloyd Cahoon, EDC president.

Members of the search committee rated Grassman and Brennan equally, according to Cahoon.

Brennan, according to Cahoon, was seen by the executive committee as having a background of event-related activities in his long-time chamber capacity rather than business recruitment and retention.

Grassman will succeed interim Executive Director Marty Gay, who leaves the position at the end of May. Gay took over leadership of the council following Ann Avary’s resignation late last year.