GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — Mesa County Public Health is looking for its next executive director. After a review of 19 applicants, the board whittled the list down to two finalists: Todd Hollenbeck and Xavier Crockett.

Hollenbeck is the interim executive director and has more than twenty years of experience in Mesa County but has zero medical credentials. Crockett who is not a physician, has a degree and some experience in emergency medical management in Georgia and is currently earning a doctor of public health through an online program at Walden University.

The new director will lead Mesa County Public Health into the next steps of their community health improvement plan. Both candidates will have in-person, on-site interviews in early November. The Board of Public Health hopes to make their decision for the new executive director by the end of the year.

However, the board reportedly reserved the power to reject both finalists and re-advertise the position.