(RALEIGH) -- The state lottery has decided to go with the in house candidate. The lottery commission late Tuesday named Alice Garland, deputy executive director for legislative and corporate communications, as the new executive director. 

Garland’s appointment came as the commission concluded interviews Tuesday with four finalists for the top post. Garland will be the second director and has served as acting executive director since the first director, Tom Shaheen, announced his resignation in August.

Robert Farris, chairman of the commission, said the commission’s unanimous vote for Garland concluded a national search that included 55 applications and extensive review of the backgrounds checks of the four finalists.

“Alice has shown as acting executive director over the past several months the leadership style which we expect will continue to provide maximum returns for the school children of North Carolina through an honest, fiscally sound operation,” said Farris in a press release. “It became apparent to each of the commissioners in interviewing the other candidates that Alice Garland stood out as our top choice.”

Garland was among the first staff hired at the Education Lottery and has served as deputy executive director for legislative and corporate communications since the lottery began operations in March 2006.