ESCANABA — After much discussion, the Bay College Board of Trustees decided to appoint Gordon Fitch of Escanaba to a vacant seat on the board Tuesday.

Last month, the board announced the resignation of Philip Strom, effective Aug. 30. Strom, who was a member of the board for eight years, left to accept a position as deputy city attorney for the City of Grand Rapids.

Fitch is the director of business development for Hagerty Insurance, where he has worked since 2001. He received a bachelor’s degree in finance from Western Michigan University and an Executive MBA from Davenport University.

Fitch will be filling Strom’s former seat. As the term will expire on Dec. 31, 2020, he would have to run for election in November 2020 in order to continue serving on the board.

Two candidates were interviewed for the board seat Tuesday — Fitch and David Anthony of Bark River.