The man who has been filling in as the head of Maine Technology Institute for six months has been formally nominated by Gov. Paul LePage to permanently fill the post.

LePage nominated Brian Whitney of Augusta to serve as director of MTI on Friday. Whitney, who had been the director of business development and innovation for the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, replaced former MTI President Robert Martin after Martin was fired by LePage in August.

“… Brian has had the unique opportunity to manage MTI for the past six months,” said LePage in a statement announcing the nomination. “We are looking forward to focusing on helping to create long-term jobs not only through research and development, but also by concentrating on commercialization.”

Salary for the position ranges from $66,044 to $90,833, according to DECD.

As director of business development and innovation, Whitney managed the governor’s account executives – economic development liaisons who work one-on-one with businesses. Whitney had held that post since 2012.

Whitney also was the director of outreach and economic development for former U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, and a business development specialist at DECD. He serves on the boards of the Maine Venture Fund, Maine Economic Growth Council, Maine Innovation Economy Advisory Board, State Workforce Investment Board and the Economic Development Council of Maine.

Maine Technology Institute is a publicly funded nonprofit that supports emerging companies and research organizations with seed grants and development loans.

The Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, and Research & Economic Development will consider the nomination, which ultimately will go to the state Senate. If the Senate confirms him, the MTI board will vote whether to affirm Whitney and elevate the title from director to president of MTI.