Dawson Countys chief financial officer, Cindy Campbell, will be the next county manager.

The announcement followed nearly an hour-long discussion in an executive session at the Dec. 20 meeting of the board of commissioners.

I had just resolved myself to the fact that no matter what the outcome, it was a win for me and for Dawson County, Campbell said. Even if I had not been appointed county manager, I would have still had a job that I enjoyed and challenged me as chief financial officer.

Campbell has been the chief financial officer since 2008. She also served as interim county manager when Kevin Tanner, the present county manager, took a leave of absence to run for the District 9 state house seat, which he won.

She was recognized as the Dawson County Government Employee of the Year in 2010.

Campbell had said that the experience in that role, along with her financial background, is what set her apart from the other candidates for the job.

As CFO, I obviously have focused on the financial well-being of the county, which helps me as I will now focus on managing the countys employees, service and programs as county manager, she said.

Campbell was one of five candidates for the position. The others included Director of Planning and Development David McKee, Director of Emergency Services Billy Thurmond, Director of Public Works David Headley and Director of Administration Bob Ivey.

All five candidates brought different qualities to the county manager job, said Commission Chairman Mike Berg. It was a hard decision, and we felt that Cindy filled more of the requirements than some of the others did.

Campbell agreed with Berg about the qualifications of the other candidates. I knew that it would also have been a winning situation to work for one of them, she said. It was a very humbling moment for me ... that the board sees qualities in me that are desirable for county manager.

Campbell will begin the new position on Jan. 14, 2013. Kevin Tanners final day with be Jan. 11. One of her first tasks will be to find a new chief financial officer for the county.

I hope to go ahead and get the job posted soon, she said, explaining that she wants to get the process started in between now and when she changes positions in January.

Campbell lives in north Hall County with her husband of 15 years, Jacky Campbell, and two children.