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Officials at Metro have picked their finalists for the agency’s chief operating officer, who would be the head staffer for the Portland-area regional government.

Metro announced today that it has selected four finalists out of a pool of 56 applicants. The person selected for the position will take over for interim COO Dan Cooper, who was hired to fill in for former COO Michael Jordan when he left Metro in March to take a position on the staff of Gov. John Kitzhaber.

The finalists include Jim Desmond, the director of Metro’s Sustainability Center; Martha Bennett, the city administrator for Ashland; Wes Hare, the city manager of Albany; and Scott Lazenby, the city manager of Sandy.

The COO is responsible for overseeing the 1,600 employees at Metro and is the key staff point person for the Metro Council.

Each of the finalists will now go through an process that includes a breakfast with local city leaders, two oral board panels of Metro customers and partners and a social event with Metro councilors and Metro Exposition and Recreation Commission members. Each finalist will also be required to meet with Metro Council President Tom Hughes and several key staff members.

Hughes will make the final decision, and the Metro Council will vote on Hughes’ appointment in early September.