THOMASVILLE — Grady County has a new clerk, but not a new employee.

Former County Clerk Ann Mobley just retired after 25 years of service and Grady County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved Carrie Kines, 41, who has worked for the county six-and-a-half years, as Mobley’s replacement at its Tuesday meeting.

“I was hired as records manager and will continue doing that as well,” Kines said. “I’m also in charge of the county’s fixed assets and payroll. I had been serving as the interim county clerk for three years in the hopes that one day I could move into the county clerk position. I really enjoy working with the commissioners on the ordinances and rules they pass for Grady County, as well as representing the county with other county clerks in the state.”

Kines said “it was a local opportunity” to join the county staff, as she was living between Cairo and Whigham, and one she wanted.

“Government always seemed interesting to me,” she said. “My husband and I were both born and raised here and, when we moved back from Atlanta in 1999, I’d been in the private sector, working in human resources, and I wanted a change.”

Her job as county clerk includes taking minutes during commission meetings and handling the board’s correspondence and training.

“I’m looking forward to working with the commissioners,” she said. “They are the rule-makers for the county and I want to be involved in that process, which could stand for history. It’s just an honor to me to be a part of history. I was very involved in the centennial planning and maybe, 100 years from now, people will look back and see I was a part of Grady County.”

But, Kines said she does have a few things to get used to with the new duties.

“I think the hardest thing will probably just be trying to take the minutes while the commissioners are in active discussion,” she said. “I’ve got to keep up with the pace of the meeting.”

County Administrator Rusty Moye said Kines is the best person to fill Mobley’s shoes.

“We’ve added to her job description (she also does the county Web site) but she will share some of her past duties with our new accounting clerk, Lynn Walden, who started today,” Moye said. “Carrie was the most appropriate person for this job.”

Kines is excited about this opportunity.

“I’m very excited and it is an honor to me that the commissioners chose me for this opportunity, that they have trust in me,” she said. “ I’m looking very forward to working with them on this level.”