Guin said Monday that he was happy to be back in his native North Carolina. He grew up in Southern Pines, he said, and had wanted to return to the Tar Heel State for some time.

Guin, his wife, Kate, and their 11-year-old son, Christopher, have been warmly welcomed by the Person County community and the hospital staff, Guin said. That kind of hospitality is one of the reasons he was drawn to Person Memorial.

Living in a small town that is convenient to metropolitan areas, he said, was “ideal” for him and his family.

“I don’t want to fight traffic,” while commuting to work, he said. “This is a nice balance of the small town and urban areas.”

Guin was also impressed by the hospital itself, he said, and its programs. He hopes to build upon the successes of the past and make his own positive contribution, he said.

He said he was happy to learn that many hospital managers have been at PMH for years. That continuity is important in making PMH a true community facility, Guin said.

“I see a lot of potential in this hospital and this county,” he said, “based on a long, strong history. I hope to build on that and move forward.

“I believe it’s a good fit,” the new CEO said of his move to the hospital and his family’s move to Person County. “I look forward to being a member of this community, and I plan on this being home for a long time,” he said.

In February, after Guin’s appointment was announced, Gordon Carver Jr., chairman of the PMH Board of Trustees, said that a “lengthy search process of over three months,” led to five candidates being chosen for interviews. The five were narrowed to three finalists by the search committee, Carver said, which was comprised of hospital senior management, trustees and members of the Duke hospital system.

“And from that,” said Carver, “we offered [the position] to Jamie. We are happy,” said Carver, “to announce that he accepted and are looking forward to his experience and new ideas to continue improving our community hospital.”

Guin joined the 110-bed hospital as leader of a staff of over 350 on April 14.

He comes to Person County with 25 years of experience in health care, most recently at Mountain View Regional Medical Center in Norton, Virginia. Guin has served as CEO of Mountain View Regional since 2005.

Earlier, he was CEO at Williamson Memorial Hospital in Williamson, W.Va., and he served as chief operating officer at Davis Regional Medical Center in Statesville.

He began his health care career as a respiratory therapist in Hartsville, S.C.

Guin received both his bachelor of science and master’s degrees in health service administration from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.