WALLACE — Shoshone County commissioners on Tuesday hired Wayne Corona as public works director, filling a vacancy that has remained open for months.

Corona, 39, replaces Jessica Stutzke, who resigned earlier this year. Since then, Commissioner Dave Dose has overseen the department.

“I am more than eager to see somebody come on board and start training,” Dose said. “The job is huge.”

The county struggled to attract applicants in recent months, prompting commissioners to increase the position’s annual salary in hopes of drawing qualified candidates. Corona will earn $65,000 annually, a $13,000 bump from when the job listing was initially posted.

Corona is a recently retired U.S. Navy veteran who, among many assignments, managed safety operations aboard the USS Nimitz. He retired in January after 20 years of service and said he was looking for a way to continue serving.

“Something was missing,” he said. “I wanted to do something that serves the community.”

Corona said his naval experience should translate well to the new position but acknowledged the department’s budget will likely present an early challenge.

“The budget plays right into some additional challenges faced by that department, including staffing,” Corona said.

In his first few weeks, he plans to ask questions and prioritize the department’s most pressing needs.

“I think I have experience that touches on all points of the job,” he said. “You can’t be on a ship in the middle of the ocean without learning some problem-solving.”

The previous administration cited stress and political pressure as part of the decision to resign. Corona said he hopes that is not the case but is not concerned about scrutiny. He also thanked the county commissioners for their vote of confidence and support. 

“At the end of the day, if I feel like I did my best for the community, that will be just fine with me,” he said.

Though his name may not be widely known, Corona has longstanding ties to the area. He attended Pinehurst Elementary School for a time before moving to Oregon with his father.

Ten years ago, he purchased a home in Wallace with plans to retire there. Today, he and his family live in that home, and both he and his wife are active in the local community.

"I'm so thankful for my wife, Eva, and my daughters, Lucille and Abigail, who supported me during my 20-year Naval career," Corona said. "They actually lived here in Wallace for the past three years while I was stationed in Bremerton (Washington). Anytime the USS Nimitz was in home port, I would ride my motorcycle home to Wallace for the weekend."

Corona also works with fellow veterans and active duty service members through the Combat Veteran Motorcycle Association North Idaho Chapter 13-1, which represents the five northern counties. He has been involved with the organization for nine years.

The CVMA supports service members and veterans by organizing charity events, raising and donating funds, providing food, shelter and financial assistance, and fostering camaraderie through a “veterans helping veterans” network.

"I am an Operation Enduring Freedom vet and went to Afghanistan seven times during the global war on terror," Corona said. "Serving those who also served is one of my passions."