New clerk of courts Barbara "Barb" McKean says Davison County court offices are busier than she expected.
McKean, 38, isn't worried. Twenty years' experience as an Air Force human resources specialist offered her a wide range of management experience, she said.
"Hopefully, I can learn the legal side of the job quickly enough to ease our office's responsibilities and workload," she said.
McKean, who has family in Parkston, retired from the Air Force in November with the rank of master sergeant. Her most recent post was in Colorado Springs, where her husband, Charles, remains on active duty. He also will retire in the next few years.
Meanwhile, McKean returned early to Parkston with the couple's 10-year-old twins, Jordan and McKenzie. She wanted to purchase a home and to be closer to her family, she said. Parents Ken and Lois Wolf still live in Parkston.
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McKean's husband hopes to be posted closer to the family during his final months in the service, she said.
McKean is a graduate of Armour High School who earned her undergraduate degree from Colorado Christian University, and a master's degree in business administration from Touro University.
She was introduced to the Davison County Commission Tuesday by First Circuit Presiding Judge Arthur Rusch.
Rusch said hiring a new clerk of courts is a special occasion and it's not uncommon for him to make the introductions.
"It isn't that often we hire a new clerk of courts," Rusch said later. "I've been presiding judge for 15 years and this is the first clerk of courts we've hired here in Mitchell in 15 years. Even though the clerk is a state employee in the courthouse, a clerk of courts is someone who must work with the commissioners. It's an important position."
"I'm grateful to be here," said McKean. "I couldn't have landed a better job more quickly after relocating."
