Stephens Co. Hires New Registrar

Stephens County has a new Registrar and Elections Superintendent.

Monday, County Administrator Phyllis Ayers announced that Bill Cochran of Toccoa would take over the position.

According to Ayers, Cochran accepted the offer after receiving the appointment from Mountain Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Rusty Smith.

Cochran was one of two finalists for the position that interviewed out of about 20 applicants.

The new registrar said he is excited to be able to serve the public in this role.

“It is a great opportunity to help the community further its interests at the state and federal level and we are dedicated to increasing the voter rolls and voter education an objective in Stephens County,” said Cochran.

Born and raised in Toccoa, Cochran graduated from Stephens County High School in 1973.

After graduating from Young Harris Junior College and Piedmont College, he worked at Standard Register and its predecessor, UARCO, for a number of years.

He most recently worked for Meadowbrook Machine and Tool in Toccoa and has also been a part of numerous community organizations.

Cochran started on the job Monday with training and will attend class for certification later this month.

Ayers said he will have the same responsibilities as former Registrar Theresa Kelley, who resigned in August.

In addition, she said that Cochran will be moved out of the Probate Judge’s Office into his own office at the Stephens County Courthouse Annex on Tugalo Street.

“His office will be in the old meeting room,” said Ayers, though noting it will be temporary until at some point in the future, the county moves to the building donated to it by ASI on U.S. Highway 123.

Ayers went on to say that Cochran will report to her within the county government structure.