(By Joe DePriest, jdepriest@charlotteobserver.com) Richard Ellis has been named the new chief operating officer of Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, the hospital announced today.Prior to joining Frye, Ellis was COO with Southwest Healthcare System in southern California.“Rich is an outstanding and experienced manager with an excellent background in strategic planning and business development,” Michael Blackburn, Frye's chief executive officer, said in a release.