Travis Gray, a Loudon firefighter who served as interim Loudon fire chief for 16 months, now is serving in the position of Loudon building inspector and codes enforcement officer.

Gray replaces Rondel Branum, who retired from the position Sept. 24 and accepted a post as the Lenoir City building inspector and codes enforcement officer.

"The (building official) position was open and I applied for it," Gray said. "There are certifications I will have to get, but I have a year to do that. I am already familiar with fire codes and I am used to taking fire service tests. It will be a challenge, but a new job is always a challenge. I will do my best and learn as I go."

The appointment comes after Mike Brubaker was named Aug. 1 to his former position as fire chief.

Branum also came to the building official position after serving as Loudon fire chief.