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Bob Morgan has been hired as Luzerne County’s new election director, county Manager C. David Pedri announced Monday.

A Fairview Township resident, Morgan recently left a position as deputy chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Moosic. In that job, Morgan managed four Congressional District offices and oversaw numerous projects, Pedri said.

Before joining Cartwright’s staff, the 58-year-old had an extensive career in the financial sector working for PNC Investments and Smith Barney.

He has a bachelor’s degree in government from King’s College.

Morgan will receive $64,500 per year in the new election director’s position, which became vacant in December when Shelby Watchilla resigned to accept private-sector employment.

As required under council’s administrative code, Pedri said he consulted with the county Election Board before hiring Morgan.

Morgan’s start date is April 5.

In his release, Pedri said he believes Morgan has the experience, training and attitude needed to succeed in the top management position.

“Bob Morgan’s initiative and problem-solving skills, along with his extensive administrative and customer service background, makes him an ideal candidate for this position,” Pedri said. “We are lucky to have him on our team.”

Veteran election bureau staffer Andrea Hill has been serving as interim director and did not apply for the permanent position, Pedri said.

“Ms. Hill stepped up for the good of the county and did an exemplary job,” Pedri said. “I’m pleased that she will return to her previous role to assist through this time of transition.”

The bureau has six full-time staffers: a director, deputy director and four administrative assistants. Eryn Harvey was hired as deputy director last month.

Pedri has said the bureau faces additional demands with last year’s addition of no-excuse mail voting and a period of on-demand voting. Combined with traditional voting at polling places, the bureau is now essentially “running three elections within each election,” he has said.

Citizens and council members also have called for increased customer service, poll worker training and recruitment, documentation of procedures and processes and online information.

Morgan said Monday he embraces the challenge and will work with staff to implement set policies and procedures. He said he will be open to input from those with both institutional knowledge and new ideas.

“I’m looking forward to getting involved and making sure we’re doing everything we can to provide the best possible experience for everyone,” Morgan said.

His career experience digesting lots of information and formulating plans will be needed to streamline election preparation and vote processing, he said.

“Most people see the election department front and center two days a year, but there’s a lot that occurs behind the scenes,” Morgan said.

Bob Morgan hired as Luzerne County election director