Lee County Clerk Christi Dockery named 2015 County Clerk of the year

LEESBURG — In the past 15 years, Lee County’s government has been served by seven different managers or administrators and seven different County Commission chairmen.

The one constant through that period has been County Clerk Christi Dockery.

“I can’t tell you how important she is to me,” said Lee Commission Chairman Rick Muggridge. “She’s a great sounding board. I do lean on her and say, ‘This is what I am thinking.’ She is very careful, but always gives me an honest answer.”

Muggridge and Lee County Manager Ron Rabun are not Dockery’s only cheerleaders. She was recently selected 2015 Clerk of the Year by Georgia County Clerks Association and Association County Commissioners of Georgia. The presentation was made during the ACCG annual conference at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center.

“She’s at the top of her profession,” said Rabun. “Lee County is fortunate to have someone of her caliber, ethics and skill.”

In response to the statewide award, Dockery will be honored at a reception beginning at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday before the Commission’s regular monthly meeting. The reception in the T. Page Tharpe Building at 102 Starksville Ave. is open to the public.

“County clerks are integral members of county government as they are considered the gatekeepers to the counties in which they serve,” said ACCG Executive Director Ross King. “Christi has served Lee County and its constituents for 15 years and has been dedicated to providing exceptional service on a daily basis.”

In addition to her duties as county clerk, Dockery serves on the Lee County Foundation Board, a 501 c 3 corporation created to direct funding for the animal shelter, parks and recreation and child safety.

Dockery serves as the ACCG legislative liaison for Lee County. Also, members of Sumter EMC elected her to represent Lee County as a director in 2011 and re-elected her in 2014.

Dockery was president of the Georgia County Clerks Association in 2010-2011 after serving as year as vice chairman. She also has been a member of the ACCG Economic Development & Transportation Policy Committee.

Twink Monahan, county clerk in Thomas County and last year’s winner of the Clerk of the Year award, said Dockery is respected across the state. Many county clerks call on Dockery for guidance, she said.

“I’ve been here 35 years and I look to Christi for answers,” Monahan said.

Dockery said she was working as a paraprofessional in the school system 15 years ago when a friend told her about the county clerk opening.

“It turned out to be a great opportunity,” Dockery said. “I get to do so many diverse projects. You never know from one day to the next what you might be dealing with.

“We have a lot of engaged citizens and I get to talk to a lot of different people. I enjoy being a part of the community and trying to assist people.”