Becky McCann

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The city of Mount Airy has a new human resources director and that has meant “a second chance” for Becky McCann.

McCann worked for 33 years at Perry Manufacturing Co., which shut down several years ago as part of a wave of textile industry layoffs locally.

“When Perry Manufacturing closed, I thought, ‘it’s over for me,’” said McCann, who was vice president of human resources there at the time.

However, what she considers “a second chance” has come in the new role with city government, which is allowing McCann to maintain her career path. “All my life has been spent in human resources/personnel,” she said.

Mount Airy has been without a full-time personnel director since August 2011, when Donna Mabe resigned after about six years in the position. At that time, City Manager Barbara Jones said someone would be hired to fill in on a temporary basis initially, with plans to eventually name a human resources director for the long term.

McCann’s appointment was announced at a meeting of the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners last Thursday night, when she expressed appreciation for being able to continue a familiar role.

Jones said McCann had been serving as human resources director under a temporary arrangement. In addition to her many years of experience with Perry Manufacturing, McCann has studied at Surry Community College.

Reach Tom Joyce at 719-1924 or tjoyce@civitasmedia.com.