MEADVILLE — A Brookhaven native was been named to the topposition at Franklin County Memorial Hospital by the its board oftrustees.

Lance Moak served as the hospital’s interim director for twomonths before accepting the position as hospital administrator inOctober, according to a press release.

Moak, who served as the hospital’s chief financial officer anddirector of clinic operations since Feb. 1998, replaces SemmesRoss, who left to serve as administrator of the Lawrence CountyHospital.

“I look forward to the challenge that’s put before me,” Moaksaid about his new job.

His top priority will be keeping the hospital in a goodfinancial situation, which he believes will be trying at timesbecause of cuts in funding.

“The government has cut a lot of our money, just like a lot ofsmall hospitals,” he said. “We basically want to maintain ourcurrent financial situation and try to improve that in any way wecan.”

He acknowledges his reliable staff as a way to continueimproving the hospital in all areas.

“We’ve got three great doctors and three nurse practitionersthat are easy to work with,” Moak said. “The employee staff are abig asset. They know their job and they do it well.”

Moak is a graduate of Wesson High School and Copiah-LincolnCommunity College. He holds a bachelor of science degree inbusiness administration, with a concentration in accounting, fromMississippi College.

His previous jobs include payroll supervisor and data processorat King’s Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven, tax accountantwith Perry Smith and Associates in Crystal Springs and auditassistant with Charles Hart CPA of Wesson.

Moak and his wife, the former Misty Birdsong, have threedaughters.