BILLINGS - Chris White is the choice of Yellowstone County commissioners to replace John Ostlund, who died in a plane crash last month.
“Those are huge, huge boots to fill,” White said.
Commissioners Mark Morse and Mike Waters, both Republicans, selected White from a list of three that included Kirk Bushman and Charlie Loveridge.
“They were all great candidates,” Morse said.
“Three good men who have done a lot for our area, our community,” Waters said.
Watch Chris White selction story here:
The selection happened during the commissioners' meeting on Tuesday and Judge Mary Jane Knisely swore in White in the afternoon.
“It's just amazing,” White said. “It's really overwhelming. It's humbling. I’m honored.”
White will serve in District 1, the southern part of Yellowstone County.
He has worked at Albertson's for 37 years, rising to the level of store director at two locations and also serves on several nonprofit boards.
He has also served on several boards, including the Chase Hawks Foundation.
“I feel like that I have a good sense with people that I'll be able to hit the ground running,” White said. “I'm really looking forward to working with the team and getting everything going.”
White will serve in District 1, the southern part of Yellowstone County.
He has worked at Albertson's for 37 years, rising to the level of store director at two locations and also served on several nonprofit boards.
“Chris seemed to have a broad range,” Morse said. ”He's on the Yellowstone Valley, Electric Cooperative board and through that membership he is on a couple of national electric cooperative type boards. He's managed, a pretty large retail business.”
“Chris White offered the best fit for Mark and I to work, together, in the, in the remainder of the term," Waters said.
Both Morris and Waters say Ostlund was their mentor as they learned the job of commissioner.
“Funny, I just was having a conversation with Chris and I told him, as a mentor, there's always going to be a lot of politics involved," Waters said. "At the end of the day, rise above it, focus on what you believe is right,”
And Morse and Waters move on after finding a replacement for a friend.
“It was difficult.” Morse said. “It was very difficult.
And White is ready with the support of his family.
“It's just amazing,” White said. “It's really overwhelming. It's humbling. I'm honored.”
The whole process took about two and a half weeks and started with the Yellowstone County Republican Central Committee choosing from 12 candidates.
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