Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College President Hank Dunn acknowledged Thursday that he rushed the swearing-in of a new board of trustees member to block a critic from serving.

Dunn said in an interview that he expedited the Feb. 19 swearing-in of Madison County Commissioner Wayne Brigman to keep Buncombe County Commissioner Mike Fryar off the board.

Fryar was nominated by fellow Buncombe commissioners later the same day, but state law limits the number of commissioners who can serve as trustees in certain slots.

“We were looking for the most positive people we can get on the board,” Dunn said.