Smith County Road Administrator Doug Nicholson has worked in just about every position the Smith County Road and Bridge Department has during his 30 years of service to the county .
   “He is my right - hand man , ” Smith County Engineer Frank Davis said of Nicholson during his recognition in Commissioners Court on Tuesday , January 30 . “He has a wealth of knowledge of the County for 30 years . ”
   Davis said Nicholson knows the history of county roads like no one else in the department .
   Born and raised in Tyler , Nicholson worked in the construction industry , from building roads to building and remodeling houses . In 1993 , he took a part - time job as a laborer for Smith County because construction work was slow at the time .
   By the end of that year , he was asked to oversee trusties for the Road and Bridge Department . Nicholson moved to the bridge crew in 1996 , and he took over the laydown paving operations in 1998 .
   In 2001 , he moved to administrative duties when engineer Tom Flowers asked him to be his assistant . He also served as the assistant to the county’s next engineer , Bill Bala , from 2005 - 08 .
   Nicholson was then asked to take over the Road and Bridge Department as the Road Administrator and led the department until the county hired its next engineer , current Smith County Engineer Frank Davis , in 2014 .
   “I have seen a lot of people come and go over the years , ” Nicholson said . “I guess the main reason I have stayed with the county is that I like helping people and trying to make things safer . I enjoy what I do . ”
   As Road Administrator , Nicholson’s day - to - day duties include assisting in overseeing the department’s operations; reviewing subdivision plans to make sure they are compliant with the county , state and federal regulations before they are approved by the Smith County Commissioners Court; and serving as the county’s floodplain administrator , overseeing floodplain issues in the county .
   Davis said he hopes to get Nicholson for a few more years before he retires .
   20 YEARS
   Monica Ballinger was honored for her 20 years of service to the County .
   “In my 20 years , I have worked for four District Clerks and the County Auditor . , ” she said . “I’m thankful , grateful , and blessed to be employed by Smith County . ”
   Ms . Ballinger was hired by District Clerk Brad Burger and started as a Child Support Clerk before being promoted to Child Support Supervisor . She remained in that position when Becky Dempsey became the District Clerk and Ms . Ballinger left the County in 2000 . In 2003 , she went back to the office for newly elected District Clerk Lois Rogers and worked as a bookkeeper until Mrs . Rogers retired in 2018 . In January 2019 , Penny Clarkston became the District Clerk .
   Ms . Ballinger went back to school to earn her bachelor’s degree and in October 2019 , she became an assistant auditor in Smith County Auditor Ann Wilson’s Office .
   “I was able to steal her away from the District Clerk’s Office , ” Mrs . Wilson said . “She is perfect for the job . ”
   She handles the internal audits for all the Justice of the Peace and Constables Offices , as well as the Road and Bridge Department and the Law Library .
   “A favorite saying of my Mama’s was ‘stay focused!’ That’s what I strive to do daily…stay focused on why I’m here , ” Ms . Ballinger said . “I’m here to do my job to the best of my ability , I’m here to treat people the way I want to be treated , I’m here to let my little light shine and of course , I’m here for my paycheck . ”
   “What I’ve enjoyed most about working for the county are the friendships that have been created . To me , the friends I’ve made while working here have become like family , hence my hashtag that I use often when commenting or posting anything on Facebook regarding the county…#smithcountyfam . ”
   15 YEARS
   Precinct 3 Commissioner Terry Phillips was recognized for his 15 years of service to Smith County .
   “He’s the longest tenured member of the court , ” County Judge Neal Franklin said . “Congratulations to you for your 15 years . ”
   Phillips took office as Commissioner for Precinct 3 , in January 2009 .
   He was born in Gregg County and remained there just one year before his parents moved to New Mexico . In 1974 , the family moved to Tyler and in January 1975 , he enrolled as a senior in John Tyler High School . Commissioner Phillips earned an associate degree in petroleum technology from Tyler Junior College , and studied supervision and government at the University of Texas at Tyler . In 1978 , he worked as a Well Test Analyst at Otis Engineering in Lewisville . In 1980 , he moved back to Tyler , where he worked for Getty Oil Company . Soon after , Texaco bought out Getty Oil , and Phillips remained with Texaco USA through the mid 1980s . He began acquiring real estate in the 1980s , and continues managing properties today .
   5 YEARS
   321st District Judge Robert Wilson was honored for five years of service to Smith County .
   County Judge Neal Franklin thanked Judge Wilson for his service .
   Judge Wilson was a family law attorney working for the Wilson , Robertson & Cornelius P . C . Law Firm before he was elected and took office in 2019 . The 321st District Court hears most of the family law cases in Smith County .
   “This job is bigger than one person , ” Judge Wilson said . “Teamwork makes the dream work and I have the best team … It’s an honor and a privilege to be able to serve every day that you will allow me to serve . ”
   Other Smith County employees who are celebrating work anniversaries during the months of December and January , but who were not in Commissioners Court , include:
   20 Years: John Shoemaker , Jason Cofer and Blair Edmonds , Sheriff’s Office; and Michael Lance Maldanado , Juvenile Services .
   15 Years: Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Judge Andy Dunklin; Chris Rainer , Sheriff’s Office; and Andre VanZandt , Road and Bridge Department .
   10 Years: Mariana Torres , Juvenile Services; Marvin Ross , Facilities Services; and Thomas Gregory , Reanauta Phillips , Rian Walston and Clayton Taylor , Sheriff’s Office .
   5 Years: County Court - at - Law 2 Judge Sara Maynard; District Clerk Penny Clarkston , Tammy Platzer , County Clerk; Taylor Shrout and April Peddy , Sheriff’s Office; Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace Judge Jon Johnson; Ashley Cowan , Juvenile Services; Cindy Kirby , District Clerk; and Angela Faulkner , Katie Fruth , Christopher Gatewood , Trevor Rose and Juan Tobias , District Attorney’s Office .
   

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