Sole Finalist Named for Franklin Co. Manager Post

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

Franklin County has named a finalist for the job of County Manager.

After coming out of an executive session Monday, County Commission Chair Thomas Bridges announced the Board’s choice for sole finalist.

“The person we have chosen for the sole candidate for the County Manager position is Elizabeth Thomas,” Bridges said.

After the announcement, the Board voted unanimously to name Thomas for the job. Thomas will replace current manager John Phillips, who asked in August to be allowed to step aside to resume his former job of County Engineer and Planning Director.

The Board then began a search for Phillips’ replacement with a view towards hiring someone with a strong background in finances.

At their meeting last week, Bridges said a total of 19 candidates had applied for the job and after reviewing the applications, the board narrowed their search down to the top five.

All five candidates were interviewed by Board members, according to Bridges. Bridges said Monday, Thomas’ qualifications stood out from the rest.

“She has a very strong financial background, about as strong as I’ve had the opportunity to interview and talk to,” he said. “She also is a strong people person and has a strong work ethic. She certainly came to the top.”

Thomas is an honors graduate of Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

She is currently employed as the Director of Consolidated Reporting for Pruitt Health in Toccoa where she is responsible for financial statements, audit preparations, and financial reporting oversight.

Commissioner Clint Harper said he believes Thomas is the right choice for the county.

“She was the strongest candidate we had and I’m really pleased she will be our next county manager,” Harper said Monday. “I’m also very excited that the county will have its first female county manager. I think that’s great.”

Bridges said Thomas will take over as county manager on January 1, but plans to come in to train on a volunteer basis throughout the month of December.

By law, the County must now advertise their selection for the next 14 days.

Bridges said he hopes to have the board take the final vote to hire Thomas on November on November 25th.

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