Phill Talavinia is Bluffton’s newest council member.

Following interviews with eight potential candidates, the five Bluffton council members chose Talavinia by a 3-2 vote to replace Mitch Kingsley on the council.

Action took place in a special meeting held Sept. 25.

Rich Johnson was initially nominated for the vacancy. Acting on the motion to name Johnson to the vacancy, council voted 2 in favor and 3 against. Voting for Johnson were Sean Burrell and Roger Warren. Voting no were Everett Collier, Dave Steiner and Joe Sehlhorst.

Talavinia was the second nominee. Acting on the motion to name Talavinia to the vacant council seat, Collier, Steiner and Sehlhorst voted yes and Burrell and Warren voted no.

The new council member will be installed at the Oct. 6 council meeting.

Talavinia is in his 29th year at Bluffton University and 11th as the athletics director. He formerly served as the associate athletics director and head athletic trainer before taking his current post.

One of the major projects of Talavinia’s involvement at Bluffton University includes implementation of TEAM Bluffton to help raise money for the athletics program. During the 2004-05 academic year, TEAM Bluffton met the first-season goal of $14,000 to help fund new medical and video equipment for the athletics department. TEAM Bluffton has raised well over $82,000 since the beginning for various projects in support of the entire athletics programs.

A native of Boston, Pa., he was inducted into the Elizabeth Township Sports Hall of Fame in 1995 for his work in sports medicine. He served as a student assistant at Anderson University and assisted the Chicago Bears athletic training staff for 10 years. Talavinia and his wife, Michelle, a Bluffton University graduate, reside in Bluffton with their seven-year-old daughter, Avery.

As athletics director, Talavinia is responsible for all 14 varsity sports at Bluffton. While serving as the athletics director, he helped to spearhead the construction of Bluffton University's Memorial Field (home of the baseball team), Bluffton Field (the new softball complex) and most recently the Sommer Center.

In addition, Talavinia has worked closely with the Bluffton administration to make the updated football/baseball locker room and conference room a reality.

Talavinia graduated from Anderson University in 1985 with bachelor of arts degrees in athletic training and business management. He also holds an M.B.A from Bluffton University.