County Executive Robert R. Neall has appointed a former Republican House of Delegates candidate to fill a year-old vacancy on the county's public housing governing board.

James J. Riley of Severna Park will serve a five-year term on the Anne Arundel Housing Authority's seven-member board of directors.

Last year, Riley lost his bid for a District 31 seat in the Houseof Delegates.

Riley retired from the Baltimore City school systemafter 30 years. He has a bachelor's degree from Towson State University and a master's degree in education from the University of Maryland.

Meanwhile, the search will continue for the fifth housing authority director in six years.

June C. Waller, arrived in summer 1989with hopes of turning the agency around. However, she resigned unexpectedly in January to move back to Colorado.

One hundred and eighteen people have applied for the position.