Brookhaven aldermen have selected a new face to join the Brookhaven School District board of trustees, appointing Pat Lowery to replace Karen Braden.

     Mayor Les Bumgarner recommended Lowery to city aldermen during a Tuesday night meeting.

     “The school is the heart of the community,” Bumgarner said in his recommendation of Lowery. “He understands that.”

     Following Bumgarner’s recommendation, Ward Six Alderman David Phillips formally motioned for Lowery’s appointment and the board approved it.

     The outgoing Braden praised Lowery’s appointment to the board.

     “I’m delighted,” she said. “This is wonderful.”

     Braden’s term ends in March, capping off 10 years on the board. Her exit from the board comes by choice, Braden said.

     “It was time to move on,” she said.

     Lowery is a CPA with Patrick E. Lowery and Associates. For the last several years, Lowery has served as the auditor of the Brookhaven School District.

     However, state law requires government entities use new auditors periodically, and Lowery submitted his last audit to the board in April of this year.

     “He understands a lot about the financial aspects of the district,” Braden said. “Money is just so critical. Knowing that it’s well managed is going to help.”

     Lowery is also the 2013 president of the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce.

     Lowery will join Dan Brown, Willie Harrison, Stan Patrick and Erin Smith on the board.

     Brookhaven’s aldermen appoint three of the five members of the Brookhaven school board. The remaining two are elected by residents outside the Brookhaven city limits but within the Brookhaven School District boundaries.

     Patrick and Smith are currently the board’s two elected members.

     Lowery could not be reached for comment Wednesday morning.