Colquitt County Commission, in a split vote, selected a local candidate on Tuesday to be the next head of county operations.

In a 5-2 vote, commissioners selected Charles Cannon IV to replace County Administrator Mike Stewart, who will leave at the end of June.

Cannon, one of three finalists for the top position in county government, is a U.S. Military Academy graduate who served as an officer for more than 12 years. Stewart said that he contacted Cannon following the commission’s Tuesday meeting and that Cannon agreed to accept the position.

“They asked me to just gauge his intent, it being not a unanimous vote,” Stewart said. “He has (indicated) his acceptance of the offer.”

The commission will meet again next week to discuss a salary offer and starting date.

Stewart, who served as interim county administrator beginning in June 2013 before he was given the permanent position in September, received an annual salary of $100,000.

Stewart tendered his resignation in February to pursue other interests, but agreed to remain through the end of June to help in preparation of the county budget and to help find his replacement.

Cannon has prior budget experience, Stewart said, but it would not be good timing to bring a new administrator in during the middle of the county’s budget process.

Cannon served from 2012-2013 as army congressional budget liaison officer at The Pentagon, according to the resume he provided to commissioners. He also served three tours as a battlefield commander in Iraq.

Cannon currently is vice president and chief financial officer of C.H. Cannon Co. in Colquitt County, managing operations and financial matters in the family owned business. He was a member of the 1994 Colquitt County High state championship football team.

Commissioner Luke Strong, who along with Commissioner Johnny Hardin, cast the two “no” votes, said he felt there were candidates with more experience that relates to running a county government.  At the time the county announced the three finalists, Hardin said that all of the candidates were qualified, but that “some may be a little more qualified than others.”

The other two finalists were Ashburn City Manager Benjamin B. Taylor and E. Scott Wood, city manager of Canton, Ga.