Marion business owner and insurance agent, Randy Strnad, was appointed to the Marion City Council as the Ward 4 representative effective Jan. 1.

Strnad has been in the insurance industry since 1996 and has owned his own business since 2003. Additionally, he serves as a paid-on-call firefighter with the Marion Fire Department, is part of the Economic Restructuring Committee for the Uptown Marion Main Street District, and is a member of the Marion Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Strnad will fill the seat being vacated by Nick AbouAssaly, who was elected mayor in the November municipal elections. He will serve the remaining two years of AbouAssaly's term until Dec. 31, 2017, or until the next city election.