Mike Altizer was named chairman of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors in a special meeting Tuesday afternoon.

Altizer, a Republican, was first appointed to the board in 2002 and won election to his seat in 2003. He has served as chairman once before, in 2005.

He has said he plans to run for re-election this fall, and will face opposition from at least one other candidate. Patrick Patterson, director of guidance at William Byrd High School, announced in November he would seek the Democratic nomination for the seat.

Windsor Hills Supervisor Joe McNamara, also a Republican, was elected vice chairman.

Tuesday's elections continued a tradition of rotating the chairmanship among the majority party members of the board. Last year's chairman was the other Republican, Richard Flora, who represents the Hollins District. Both he and McNamara also face the end of their terms in December.

Catawba District Supervisor Butch Church is an independent, and Cave Spring Supervisor Charlotte Moore is a Democrat. Their terms don't expire until 2011.

-- Cody Lowe