You might not be aware due to COVID-19, but there’s a new face at Blanco City Hall.

Laurie Cassidy was hired as the city secretary in March and her first day on the job was April 1. She has lived in Texas her whole life and in Blanco for the past two years. For the past 35 years, Cassidy has been in a secretarial position. Over the past 17 years, she was employed as a project administrator for a civil engineering field.

Cassidy began looking for a job closer to her home and that would benefit the community.

“The city secretary position interested me because I have fallen in love with the City of Blanco and want to better serve the residents,” she said.

Her previous job as a project administrator provided her land development experience, which will benefit the city. Cassidy passed her Professional Secretaries International exam on the first attempt, and she is proud of this professional achievement. According to the Professional Secretaries International website, the “rating is obtained by completing and verifying educational and secretarial employment experience requirements and passing a three-part, one-day exam.” These parts include: finance and business law, office systems and administrative, and management. After earning this certificate, Cassidy continues to learn more about the field.

One of her strengths is being detail oriented and organized, which is helpful in a secretarial position. Deadlines are followed; duties are completed in a timely manner. The secretary is also very outgoing and can multitask well.

Cassidy has not worked for a city, but the new secretary is eager to help serve the community and get to know the residents. Right now, a major challenge being faced by the city is dealing with COVID-19, which makes it a strange time to start this new career. Another challenge will be the construction of the Water Treatment Plant, but Cassidy is up for the challenge. She is passionate about helping Blanco citizens and making a difference in the community.

Cassidy and her husband, Mike, have a blended family of five children and two grandchildren. In her spare time, she loves taking photos of her family and friends and putting together scrapbook albums. She also loves reading and playing with her grandchildren.

When it’s deemed safe, swing by city hall to meet Blanco’s the newest employee.