Innovation Park Research and Development Center is a step closer to having an executive director.

The search committee met Tuesday morning after reviewing 37 applications for the executive director position.

Members narrowed their top choices down to five finalists, and will give that list to the Innovation Park Board of Directors during its meeting next Tuesday morning.

John Chapin, Executive Director Search Committee Chairman, said, "I am very pleased. We have good candidates. We found people with that very difficult background of science and technology and business. I am most positive that we're going to get a winning candidate. I think we got some exciting times ahead for the park."

Interviews will be set up for each finalist after approval by the board.

Officials hope to have an executive director chosen by November 5th, and starting no later than December 6th.

Innovation Park's former executive director recently retired after its bookkeeper was arrested for embezzlement.

Former bookkeeper Shanna Lewis is slated to enter a plea to federal embezzlement charges Wednesday. She could face up to 40 years in prison.