Lopez Island Fire and EMS Fire Chief Jim Ghiglione submitted his letter of intent to retire as fire chief on Jan. 2, after almost 10 years with the department.

Ghiglione worked with commissioners for the past year to identify qualified candidates for his replacement.

After a series of interviews with the commission, the current staff, and the volunteers, San Juan County Fire District No. 4 has signed an agreement with J.M. Havner as the new fire chief, effective Nov. 1.

Havner and his wife Michelle have been part-time residents of Lopez for about a year while Havner has continued to work as an officer with the Seattle Fire Department.

He looks forward to being on Lopez full-time and continuing his fire career with Lopez Fire and EMS.