SIDNEY — A new director for the Shelby County Board of Elections was hired Tuesday morning.
Pam Kerrigan, 52, of Sidney, will begin her new job on Feb. 17, 2018. Current Director Dawn Billing’s retirement is effective Feb. 16.
Kerrigan, a Democrat, will receive an annual salary of $39,000.
“On behalf of the members of the Shelby County Board of Elections we are very pleased to welcome Ms. Pam Kerrigan to our election administration team as Director,” said Chairman Chris Gibbs. “Pam brings with her three decades of legal assistant experience with the Shelby County Prosecutors Office, including additional administrative experience with a local law firm.
“While she has a lot to learn in the short time before the May primary election, we are confident she is up to the challenge and will serve Shelby County voters with distinction,” said Gibbs.
In preparation for her new job as director, the board hired her as a clerk from Jan. 30 to Feb. 16. She will be paid minimum wage as a clerk.
Gibbs told the board there’s a training opportunity in Columbus on Jan. 31 for new directors. By hiring Kerrigan as a clerk, she will be able to attend the training as a county employee and also receive on-the-job training from Billing before she retires.
Kerrigan said she is ready for the challenges she will face in her new job.
“I felt it was a good job involving the community where I live,” said Kerrigan. “I feel I can be of service in the office.”
Kerrigan is currently working in the criminal and felony division of the Shelby County Prosecutor’s Office. She has worked in various divisions at the office during her career.
A graduate of Houston High School and Upper Valley Joint Vocational School, Kerrigan graduated from the Miami Valley School of Court Reporting through Sinclair Community College. While at the JVS, she studied medical and legal job processing.
She is married to attorney Tom Kerrigan II. She has three children, Lauren, Katie and Trey.
“He’s very excited and happy for me,” said Kerrigan. “He believes it’s a good fit (new job) for me.”
In other business, the board learned the Ballot Sync contract has been sent to the Prosecutor’s Office for review.
The board’s next meeting is tentatively set for Friday, Feb. 16, at which time they will certify the petitions for the May election. Deadline to turn in petitions is Feb. 7.
