LAKEVILLE — The select board agreed Sept. 24 to offer the town administrator job to Andrew Sukeforth, describing him a great choice for the post.

Sukeforth works as Director of Procurement for the City of Taunton.

The decision to offer Sukeforth the position was made less than a week after board members selected Marc Craig, who subsequently turned the post down. Sukeforth and Craig were the top candidates for the position. 

Both were interviewed by the board, which then selected Craig. At the time members described the decision as difficult and said that both contenders were worthy.

“We had two really really really good candidates,’’ said Select Board Vice Chair Lia Fabian. “I know all of us felt very strongly about’’ both contenders.

The Search Committee selected these two candidates knowing that each had a “50/50 shot” of being chosen for the role, according to Fabian.

“I’m extremely excited to be working with him,’’ Fabian added. 

Craig shared in an email on Monday, Sept. 23 that “after much contemplation,” he “decided to stay in Foxboro.”

Select Board Member Brian Day that Craig’s decision was not an issue of contract negotiations breaking down because the conversation had not begun. Day said the board did not know why Craig decided to withdraw but said “sometimes things happen for a reason.’’

A Middleboro native, Sukeforth is no stranger to the duties of the town administrator, having served as Assistant to the Town Manager in Middleboro from 2018 to 2020. During his interview with the Select Board, Sukeforth shared that he’s always had an “eye” for Lakeville.

He noted that working for Lakeville would be a “dream that only comes around every so often.” He has extensive experience in procurement, having served as a state government procurement officer in Virginia prior to working for the City of Taunton.

He also brings to the table experience in writing grants, serving on advisory committees and working with capital and operating budgets. Select board member Maureen Candito will reach out to Sukeforth to extend the offer.

The position became vacant when Ari Sky left last winter. Former Middleboro Town Manager and Taunton Mayor Robert Nunes has been filling the position in the interim.