By Steve Sharp: steves@wdtimes.com
JEFFERSON — Replacing retiring Jefferson County Clerk Barb Frank will be Audrey McGraw.
The Jefferson County Executive Committee and County Administrator Ben Wehmeier forwarded a resolution appointing McGraw to the interim county clerk position.
McGraw has worked in the county clerk’s office for more than 18 years.
As part of Jefferson County succession planning, McGraw has been preparing by going to many leadership classes and county board meetings. Her term will expire on Jan. 4, 2021.
McGraw was born and raised in the city of Jefferson and continues to live there.
“I never had the desire to leave,” she said, adding she graduated in the Jefferson High School Class of 1993. She has her election certifications.
McGraw started her family when she was young and went straight to work.
McGraw has 18 1/2 years of experience in the clerk’s office, starting in 2000 as an administrative clerk.
“In 2006, Barb appointed me as chief deputy county clerk and I have held that position ever since,” she said.
She hopes to bring a sense of excitement and positivity to her new job.
“I know how excited I am to be appointed and I am looking forward to showing the citizens of Jefferson County that they are in good hands,” she said.
McGraw said Frank was a huge influence on her.
“She taught me to be a team player,” she said. “That was huge in our office. When you’re a department of three, you have to be able to depend on each other. Any mistakes made were ‘our’ mistakes. She never dwelled on the, ‘Why did you do that?’ But more on, ‘We made a mistake. Now what are options to correct it?’ It’s great to feel like you’re really a part of this department and that your work is recognized in a positive light. Barb was never hesitant in giving credit where she felt it was due.”
McGraw wants to perpetuate what she called the “open door” environment Frank has created in the clerk’s office.
“I want my office and the citizens of Jefferson County to know that I want nothing more than to be a trusted and successful county clerk,” she said.
McGraw’s name will first appear on a Jefferson County election ballot in November of 2020.
“I will put my all into my appointment and will do my best to make my family and Jefferson County’s citizens proud,” she said.