Interim Montgomery County Fire Chief Steve Lohr will get the nod as the county’s new permanent fire chief.

County Executive Isiah Leggett announced the selection on Wednesday, more than seven months after Fire Chief Richard Bowers left the county for Fairfax County’s fire chief job. Lohr’s appointment will be subject to County Council approval.

Lohr took over supervision of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services’ four division chiefs and 13 civilian managers after Bowers left. The MCFRS has a $218 million operating budget.

Prior to becoming interim chief, Lohr served as Chief of Operations since 2008. He started as a firefighter and worked his way up to battalion chief before taking over a series of senior administrative positions.

Lohr makes an annual salary of $155,703.19, according to county data. Before his departure, Bowers received a $190,000 annual salary.