By by Adam Prestridge – special to the Standard
Emilie Mims received a much-anticipated phone call Tuesday afternoon from Gov. Bob Riley, while she was on business in Montgomery.
Riley was calling to tell Mims, who has served as the executive director of the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce for 17 years, that she had been appointed probate judge for Escambia County.
Riley said he believes Mims, who was nominated by state Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, will be a great fit for the position. Current probate judge Rachel Agerton is retiring effective April 1.
Mims, 60, was in Montgomery Tuesday attending the Leadership Atmore Class of 2008's government session. She said during a photo session with the governor on the steps of the capitol building, he did not give any indication that he had intentions of appointing her as probate judge.
Mims has served as the chamber director since 1991. Prior to that, she served as an administrative assistant at Atmore Community Hospital, as a glass artist designing and fabricating stained glass and owned and managed an art studio in downtown Atmore. She said the position came available at a time in her life when she was looking for change.
Those boards and affiliations include, Escambia County Extension Service Advisory Board; Friends of Education of Escambia County, Inc., charter founder; HIPPY Exploratory Grant Committee; Vestry, Trinity Episcopal Church; Escambia County Ala. Community Hospital, Inc., board of directors; Escambia County Healthcare Authority board of directors; Escambia County Children's Policy Council; Alabama Preservation Alliance board of directors; Atmore Rotary Club, past president and Paul Harris Fellow; City of Atmore Strategic Planning Committee; Coalition for a Healthier Escambia County; Leadership Atmore Steering Committee; Escambia County Department of Human Resources board of directors and Jefferson Davis Community College Advisory Board.
The term Mims will be taking over has five years remaining.
Mims said even though the position requires her to work in Brewton, she plans to commute each morning and continue living and worshiping in Atmore.