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January 19, 2006

Jamestown gets a new manager

The info was buried in yesterday's story, but Jamestown will have a new Town Manager in six months: Kathryn Billings.

She's replacing John Frezell who is retiring at the end of May after 25 years with the town. The Jamestown Council unanimously appointed Billings to the post on Tuesday night. Frezell announced his retirement in November.

Billings, 53, is no stranger. She's been working for Jamestown the last 18 years as finanicial officer and spent the last two years with a second title -- assistant town manager. She'll be only the third town manager in Jamestown history.

Billings, who grew up in Greensboro, said that after working for the town for so many years she was excited at the chance to move up. She said her top goals include improving her relationships with council members and increasing the town's communication with residents.

Council members said it just made sense to give Billings a chance at the job.

"Having 18 years with us, she's the logical person if we want to maintain the fabric of the town," Councilman Keith Volz said after the meeting.

"Right frankly, we want to do that more often when we've got people trained to come behind someone so when they leave they can step right in," Mayor Billy Ragsdale said.

Posted by Jonathan Jones at January 19, 2006 4:31 PM

Comments

Cookie (Kathryn at her day job) Billings is one of the nicest and most capable people I know. My roots in Jamestown go as deep as any family there, and I am grateful Cookie will be the new town manager.

Posted by: Patrick Eakes at January 20, 2006 1:49 PM