Patti Dozier/Times-EnterpriseCommission Chairman Phillip Brown (R) addresses fellow commissioners and audience members Tuesday after being elected 2020 county commission chairman. Wiley Grady (L), 2018 and 2019 chairman, was elected board vice chairman. 

THOMASVILLE — A longtime Thomas County commissioner was elected 2020 county commission chairman at the board’s first meeting of the year on Tuesday.

Upon a motion by Commissioner Ken Hickey, Phillip Brown was unanimously elected chairman.

Brown thanked his wife, friends, neighbors and church family who were in the audience for their support.

“We’re going to have a good year this year,” Brown said.

Serving his third four-year term, Brown said he had missed only one commission meeting in 10 years on the board.

Commissioner Donnie Baggett, in his first commission term, was chosen 2020 vice chairman in a unanimous vote.

Commissioner Wiley Grady served as board chairman in 2018 and 2019. He said Tuesday the board has “a gentleman’s agreement” that each chairman would serve two years.

Grady was elected vice chairman on Tuesday.

Hickey thanked Grady for his leadership during the past two years and said he looks forward to working with Brown in the same capacity.

Also at the Tuesday meeting and by unanimous vote, Bruce Warren was appointed county attorney for 2020. 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820