Washington native Bryant Buck was recently named executive director of the Mid-East Commission, hoping to continue the organization’s work of meeting needs in the communities throughout its five-county service area.

A 15-year veteran of the Commission, Buck has served as planning director with the commission’s Regional Council of Governments since 2010 and since 2003, he served as senior planner, according to a news release.

As executive director, Buck is the chief executive and administrative official responsible for program development and implementation, as well as serving as executive director of Mid-East Development Corporation, a nonprofit dealing with senior citizens’ issues, according to the release.

Buck said his former positions and experience with the commission have allowed him to build relationships with local government officials and communities and allowed him to identify the needs associated with the commission’s service area, which covers Beaufort, Bertie, Hertford, Martin and Pitt counties and the municipalities within. Buck’s experience has also led him to realize potential sources for funding and additional assistance throughout the region and eastern North Carolina, he said.

“I’m very excited to be in this role,” Buck said. “The role allows me the opportunity to expand on all aspects of the Mid-East Commission and having internal knowledge and being able to apply it, a kind of hands on application to our communities and governments — realizing and being able to identify the needs and assist them accordingly.”

The commission, a regional council of government, receives funding through local, state and federal funds, and works on a contract basis with counties and municipalities for grant administration, planning and zoning and other services, including economic development, Buck said.

Buck hopes to better the opportunities for the commission’s member governments and communities it serves as it relates to economic development and infrastructure. He also hopes for constant communication throughout the region, giving him the ability to assess and better address the needs of the commission’s members — governments and municipalities.

Among the major regional programs conducted by the commission are aging, workforce investment, economic development, transportation planning, small business loan programs, grantsmanship, rural transportation and technical assistance to member units of government, according to the release.

Buck has a Bachelor of Science degree in urban and regional planning, and applied geography from East Carolina University, according to the release. He has completed various coursework in administration, as well as other related coursework at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Government. He holds memberships in the Southeast Regional Directors Institute and has served as a member of the National Association of Development Organizations. Buck is also a member of N.C. Association of Regional Council Directors.