By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

Columbus County Social Services has a new director.

Monday night the social services board introduced Linda Fry to the county commissioners.
Fry is currently employed as the director of Marion County DSS in Marion, S.C. but will begin work here on Aug. 1.

“I’m very honored to be chosen,” Fry told the board. “I’m looking forward to tenure here in Columbus County.”

Fry explained that she thought it was only fair that she give S.C. DSS a 30-day notice.
“I wish I could come tomorrow –I’m real happy to be here,” Fry said.

Little discussion took place before the Board of Commissioners approved Fry’s $63,000 annual salary.

Though questions arose about the salary figure, Commissioner and former DSS board chairman Amon McKenzie explained that Fry comes to the county with more experience than the previous social services director and pointed out the negotiated salary is just a few thousand more.

The DSS board voted to hire Fry two weeks ago after a brief closed session and has the sole authority by state statute to hire the director.

Social services board members, through a confidential search, individually ranked the candidates on a number of questions prepared for the interviews, McKenzie said, and pointed out Fry had done exceptionally well.

“References followed suit,” McKenzie said. “No one had anything negative to say – all positive.

“I would like to say we have had some wonderful candidates,” he said. “Every candidate is a potential director somewhere –they are just that qualified.”

Assistant Director Mary Thompson who planned to retire June 30 has served as interim director since March but said she would stay on board until August or September to help orient Fry.

Fry will supervise a staff of 142 employees and is responsible for staffing and personnel issues. She will also serve as the principal spokesperson for the agency.

Fry is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a Masters of Social Work. Prior to her employment with the S.C. Department of Social Services, she worked in various human services positions throughout the country, including Virginia, Tennessee, Oregon and Alaska. She has four children and six grandchildren.