In a decision Lincoln County Commissioners made Tuesday afternoon, Carrie Kipfer will become county administrator when John O’Connell steps down at the end of March.

Kipfer faced an interview panel comprised of commissioners Hamilton Meserve, William Blodgett and Mary Trescott, Boothbay Harbor Selectman Denise Griffin and Two Bridges Jail Authority member Kathy Martin-Savage.

Kipfer began her career with Lincoln County government as a payroll clerk in 2013. She has also served as county business manager and most recently as the county’s finance director.

Originally from western New York, Kipfer now lives in Alna.  Prior to moving to Maine, she was in county government for 14 years in Racine County, Wisconsin, and served as business office supervisor for a 200-bed, county-owned nursing home.

In addition to her other responsibilities, Kipfer has worked on the county’s annual budget, providing coordination of its various elements as well as payroll analysis and benefits costing.  

In an interview Tuesday afternoon, she said she looks forward to strategic planning and coordination between departments. She is also hoping to include the towns more so that everyone can “start building on shared services.”

“Communications are important,” she said. “Shared ideas lead to better ways to do things more efficiently and less expensively.”

O’Connell was pleased with the decision to offer Kipfer the job. “We are very fortunate to have found someone of Carrie’s caliber within our own Lincoln County organization,” he said.

Kipfer will have the opportunity to work alongside O’Connell over the next two months as she learns her new job since their offices are steps away from each other at the county courthouse. “It shouldn’t be disruptive,” she said of the transition.