Here at gazz, for the last several years we've known him as that odd combination of an internationally performing opera singer from, um, Barboursville. But starting July 1, you can call Randell Reid-Smith (at right) "Mr. Commissioner," as Gov. Joe Manchin has appointed him commissioner of the state Division of Culture and History. He replaces Troy O. Body, who left his post as acting commissioner in December, to take a better paying job in his home state of Kentucky.

"Randall Reid-Smith's background, knowledge and enthusiasm should serve the state well as he takes on this important position," intoned the governor in an e-mail press release we received today. For his turn, Reid-Smith says: "I am grateful to Governor Manchin for the trust he has placed in me and am thrilled to be given this opportunity to lead an agency with a mission that I believe in so strongly. As a performing artist myself, I am well aware of the life-affirming power of our arts and culture. It's vital to the state's future that we nurture the artistic and cultural interests of our people, and I look forward to working with the staff at the Division to accomplish its important mission."

Let's hope so. Some folks I know and trust who work in key spots at the Division sounded pretty concerned about its listing, wayward direction in talking about this appointment at FestivALL this past weekend.. At least two of them -- while holding nothing against the man himself -- expressed exasperation and anxiety as to whether the new appointee was the right person to take the division where it needs to go. The honeymoon is on to see if he is.

According to the e-mail announcment, before joining the Division, Reid-Smith served as the director of education and outreach, production manager, and special events coordinator for the Toledo Opera Association in Toledo, Ohio, from 2002-05. Prior to that, he was an assistant professor of music at the University of Michigan School of Music, and enjoyed a long career as an operatic tenor, both in the United States and abroad. He has a bachelor's degree in music from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a master's degree in music from the Indiana University School of Music.

Watch for a gazz Q-and-A with the new commissioner soon in gazz.