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County chooses new director of human resources

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A woman who grew up in South Franklin Township was chosen as Washington County director of human resources.

Kathleen M. Cline Bali, 29, who comes to Washington County by way of Louisiana and Alaska, will be replacing Charles Nicholls, who intends to retire next month after working for the county since November 2008.

Bali’s salary will be $70,000, and she and Nicholls are working together during the transition.

Bali, a 2002 McGuffey High School graduate, went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in human resources management and a master of arts in industrial labor relations from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

“I’ve worked in Albuquerque, Atlanta, Virginia, Alaska and Shreveport, La., and now I’m back home,” said Bali. “I have a 7-month-old son, my husband is retiring from the military June 1 and we decided this was a perfect time to come home.”

Her husband, Joe, who is from the Chicago area, is a master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. “We are currently in the market for a home, staying with my parents, Bill and Jean Cline, until we find a place. We’re looking forward to finding something soon.”

Bali last worked as human resources supervisor for Graphic Packaging International of West Monroe, La. She has been employed in both the private sector and for a nonprofit corporation.

Although this is her first job within government, Bali said she is focusing on “coming up to speed quickly on everything in the county – policies, procedures and unions – which is true of any position that you get into. I’m quite excited about it.”

Scott Fergus, Washington County director of administration, said the county had more than 100 applicants seeking the human resources director’s job.

A committee interviewed 10 and the three-member board of commissioners interviewed two candidates.

Commission Chairman Larry Maggi welcomed Bali back to Washington County last Wednesday at a morning agenda-setting session in the seventh-floor conference room of the Courthouse Square office building.

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