Greg Matherly has been selected as the new director of the Washington County/Johnson City 911 Communications District. Matherly succeeds Bob McNeill, who recently retired after 32 years on the job. PHOTO BY DAVE ONGIE
By Dave Ongie
The Washington County/Johnson City 911 Emergency Communications District has a new director after the 911 board officially hired Greg Matherly to fill the role vacated by former director Bob McNeill.
McNeill retired from his post at the end of March after a tenure that spanned over 30 years. The position remained vacant for nearly two months as the board extended its search in order to entice a larger pool of candidates. On Thursday, the board voted to approve the search committee’s unanimous recommendation that Matherly be offered the position. He quickly accepted.
“I’ve worked very closely over many years here with Director McNeill on the board of directors,” Matherly told the News & Neighbor moments after the meeting adjourned. “I want to continue the same good service and the same leadership that Director McNeill had for the last 32 years.”
In addition to serving on the 911 board for the past 14 years, Matherly has also served six terms on the Washington County Commission while also working for the county sheriff’s department. Matherly said his time on the 911 board has allowed him to learn the ins and outs of our local 911 operations, which should allow him to hit the ground running in his new role.
“I have made some mistakes and learned through those,” he said. “It’s been a good experience.”
Matherly was selected over fellow board member Randall Lewis, who was also in consideration for the role, but Matherly didn’t anticipate any friction moving forward.
“I just love Randall,” he said. “We have a great relationship, and I don’t think in my years on the board we’ve ever had a cross word. That’s why I say I look forward to bringing some different things to the table that I can bring and definitely continue the great service.”
