Clayton — When Nancy Medlin trades her old office for a new one, she has just one request. Let her take the chalkboard.

For the past 10 years, Medlin has been the town’s finance officer. But on July 1, she was promoted to deputy town manager, a new position created to manage the town’s finance, customer-service and information-service departments. Also, Medlin is responsible for analyzing financial trends, helping with public-information duties and providing support for capital and building projects. She assists Town Manager Steve Biggs and acts in his absence if needed.

As for the chalkboard, workers saved it for Medlin while they renovated The Clayton Center, which used to be a school. She uses the chalkboard to record inspirational phrases, such as “Life isn’t about how to survive the storm, but about how to dance in the rain” and “It looked easy. Then it was mine. And it isn’t.”

Those simple lines get Medlin through rough days and remind her why she has stayed with the town for so many years. “The chalkboard is representative of everything I did with this project,” she said of The Clayton Center.

“The chalkboard symbolizes the character of this building, and that is why I wanted it in my office. It has kind of evolved into this space for me to be able to express myself.”

Biggs did not consider any other candidates for the job of deputy town manager. “Nancy was chosen for her promotion based on her qualifications, experience and knowledge of our organization,” he said. “As finance director, she has gained significant advantages that she will use in her new role. “

A graduate of N.C. State University, Medlin worked for the N.C. Department of State Treasurer from 1990 till 1995. She was a compliance auditor in the escheat and unclaimed property program and a senior accountant for the state retirement system.

After leaving the treasurer’s office, Medlin was a financial analyst for the state Local Government Commission until she came to Clayton.

While serving in Clayton, Medlin has received numerous awards, including the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.

“I enjoy getting to work with people and feeling like what I do makes a difference,” Medlin said. “Whenever I ride by a fire station, for example, I get an immense sense of pride knowing I helped construct that building. I didn’t lay the bricks, but I helped secure the financing for it. Maybe I worked on the furnishings for it, or maybe I supported the chief while he was in the planning process.”

Biggs expects to hire a new finance officer by October. In the meantime, Medlin will serve a dual role. She has received a 10-percent salary increase to $100,275.