The Berrien County Commissioners appointed a Benton Harbor businessman to the road commission board Thursday during their regular meeting in St. Joseph.

William Hodge will serve on the board until Dec. 31, 2018. He fills a seat vacated by Mike Kastner, who resigned last year.

Hodge is the owner of W.J. Hodge Distributing, of Benton Harbor.

Commissioner Jim Curran said Kastner stood out from other candidates because of his background in business and his preparedness for the interview.

“Adding a true business man there can bring another perspective to the board,” Curran said. “You try to keep them diverse so they don’t all come from the same field. I think he will be a good fit.”

Kastner joins four others on the Berrien County Road Commission.