DEFIANCE – Two new members and new officers will begin serving the board of directors of the Regional Port Authority of Northwest Ohio on Jan. 1, according to Edward L. Yoder, chairman.

Gary Adkins, of Paulding, serves as chief executive officer of the Paulding County Hospital in Paulding. He has been appointed to a four-year term by the Paulding County commissioners. Adkins replaces Ronald Eschbach, chief executive officer of the Antwerp Exchange Bank Company in Antwerp. Eschbach has been a director since the port authority was formed in June 2008.