Gary M. Douglas and Adam Johnson were recommended for appointment last week to the two vacant seats on the Oxford Village Planning Commission.

The recommendations must now be approved by the village council.

Douglas has lived in the village on Park St. for six years and has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

“I thought this was a perfect opportunity for me to step forward and serve my community,” he said. “I was taught that value by my parents.”

“My dad was a career military officer and he taught all of his seven sons that participation in your community and giving back to your community . . . is very important,” Douglas explained. “So, I’d be honored to serve.”

Douglas, a transplant from New Mexico, spent his career in high-energy particle physics, optics engineering and information technology. He currently works in the automotive industry.

While living in a rural community outside Albuquerque, he spent 10 years serving on the board of directors for a water cooperative.

“During that time, we went from 800 homes to almost 9,800 homes,” Douglas said. “It saw spectacular growth and managed it all very, very well.”

“I want to see this town prosper as well,” he noted.

Johnson, who lives on S. Glaspie St., has also been a village resident for six years. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering.

He currently works for General Motors as an engineer in automatic transmissions and volunteers for a high school mentoring program called Winning Futures.

“While living in the community, I’ve seen some ups and downs,” he said. “I’d like to be a more knowledgeable resident and also, potentially impact the future of the village.”