HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Huntington Police Chief Hank Dial will become Huntington’s next city manager, Mayor Steve Williams announced Monday.
Dial, who has been with the police department for 28 years, will assume his new role on Dec. 16. He succeeds Cathy Burns, who became executive director of the Huntington Municipal Development Authority in July.
Dial told MetroNews he and Williams spoke about the opportunity after it opened.
“It’s something I was interested in. It gives me a new way to serve the citizens of Huntington,” he said.
Dial became police chief in May 2018. His resume includes being the administrative bureau commander for the police department, in which he handled budgeting, grants and training.
In his new role, he will oversee the city’s finances and personnel department.
“It will be very different for me to wake up and not throw on the uniform and go serve in that capacity, but I do look forward to the challenge,” he said.
Williams said Dial’s understanding of the city’s finances and law enforcement knowledge makes him a great person for the role.
“We have created a strong balance sheet in our finances. We have an aggressive economic development strategy that is being pursued through the Huntington Municipal Development Authority. We also must assure that our city is known as a safe city in which to live and do business. Hank Dial helps us complete this triangle of service — fiscal soundness, aggressive economic and employment development, and strong public safety. I appreciate the willingness of Chief Dial to agree to take on this role,” Williams added.
Police Cpt. Ray Cornwell will serve as interim police chief after Dial takes his new position; Dial called Cornwell “an outstanding police commander.”
U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart congratulated Dial and Cornwell on their new roles.
“I look forward to our continued partnership under Chief Cornwell’s leadership,” he said. “Together, we’ll continue our efforts to make Huntington the safest city in America.”
Dial’s annual salary will be $94,884.