Prosecutor Brittany Bulleit, Probate Court Judge Fraser Strome, Deputy Clerk Renee Cunningham and Clerk Jennifer Kelly are seen at the start of the Houghton County Appointment Committee meeting Friday. The committee met Friday to begin the process of finding a replacement for longtime Sheriff Brian McLean. (Houghton Daily Mining Gazette photo by Garrett Neese)

HOUGHTON — The committee charged with appointing the replacement for Houghton County Sheriff Brian McLean held its first meeting Friday afternoon.

It is composed of Clerk Jennifer Kelly, Prosecutor Brittany Bulleit, and Probate Court Judge Fraser Strome.

Undersheriff Kevin Coppo has been serving as interim sheriff since July 19, when longtime Sheriff Brian McLean died two days after sustaining injuries from an accident at his house.

The job will be posted Wednesday for two weeks on the Houghton County website, houghtoncounty.net, and will run three times in the Daily Mining Gazette. Kelly will write the wording for the ad, which must then be approved by Bulleit and Strome.

Applicants will be asked to provide a cover letter, resume and references.

Several people were present at the meeting, including 2020 sheriff’s race candidates Steve Laux and Josh Saaranen. No members of the public made comments.

The next meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Aug. 25 in the circuit courtroom. Bulleit said the meeting would likely consist of reviewing applications to decide who to interview, and setting the interview process.