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The trustees decided to forego an external search for Links of London Sale replacement after determining that Lauf, who came to the system as chief operating officer in 2008, was the "leading candidate" for the position, said Thomas Wroe Jr., of Dennis, board chairman. "We felt we had a great match and great continuity," Wroe said in a phone interview Friday. "I firmly believe we are well-positioned to continue our mission of delivering the highest quality health care to the residents and visitors of Cape Cod and our surrounding communities," Lauf said in a press release. "I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead this organization into the future." Lauf's career has been linked to Salluzzo for years. About two years ago, Lauf left Wellmont Health Systems in Kingsport, Tenn., where Salluzzo had been chief executive officer, to follow him to Hyannis. From 2006 to 2008, Lauf Links of London Charms chief operating officer of Bristol Regional Medical Center, a 348-bed hospital in Bristol, Tenn., that was part of the Wellmont system. Lauf also held several positions at Conemaugh Health System in Pennsylvania, where Salluzzo was chief medical officer and CEO. Lauf's jobs included becoming president and CEO of Miners Medical Center in Hastings, one of Conemaugh's hospitals, at the age of 30. In 2004, Lauf was named to Modern Healthcare magazine's "Up & Comers" list. Union has 'no misgivings' Local health care officials say they are happy to work with Salluzzo's protege. Jerry Fishbein, vice president of the SEIU, the health care system's largest employee union, said he has "no misgivings" about Lauf. "We've been working with Mike all along," Fishbein said. Wroe credited Lauf for helping Salluzzo turn Cape Cod Healthcare from the red to the black. After laying off about 200 employees and making other changes, the corporation turned a $13 million profit in fiscal 2009 and is expected to do better this year. Salluzzo's sudden departure came as a surprise, Wroe said. He said Salluzzo still had a "year or two" Links of London Teddy Charm in his contract. Salluzzo told the Cape Cod Times he was pursuing other career opportunities. Quick action lauded It was a "good move" on the part of the board to act quickly in appointing Lauf permanent CEO, said Lynn Nicholas, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Hospital Association. It will be "settling and good" for the employees, patients and medical staff, she said. Lauf, who in 1994 went to work on the staff of U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha, also will bring a level of political savvy to his role as health-care advocate that is unusual in an executive whose expertise is operations, Nicholas said. Patrick Kane, senior vice president of marketing and communications at Wellmont Health Systems, said Lauf was "good team builder" during his time in Tennessee. Lauf helped manage costs while improving patient satisfaction, Kane said. "I've known him for many years. Mike's a good man -- a hard working guy." Salluzzo earned more than $668,848 in salary, bonuses, benefits and other compensation from October 2008 to the end of September 2009, according to nonprofit filings with the state attorney general's office, In that same time period, Lauf earned $235,130 in various forms of compensation, starting with a base salary of $160,075. Wroe said Lauf was Links of London The Man On The Moon Charm a "multiyear" contract but did not say for how many years. He also would not comment on Lauf's salary, but said it would be less than Salluzzo's because Lauf was a more junior executive.