The City of Dyersburg's new HR director is already a familiar face around Dyersburg. Sue Teague, formerly of Bekaert and Oldberg Manufacturing, will take the position left vacant by the retirement of James Baltimore, who served the city for over 30 years. [Click to enlarge]

Raised in the area, Teague went to school in Newbern and moved "to the big city" of Dyersburg shortly after graduation. Now she has taken a job for that big city doing what she does best: helping employees understand and take the best advantage of the benefits they receive.

"I've worked in human resources my whole life," said Teague. "I like the HR field -- helping people work out their problems and making sure they understand their benefits. Now I am just thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to work in the human resources capacity for the city."

For the past 20 years, Teague has made her home at Bekaert Corporation, staying on in the company's office until just a few months ago to help arrange severance packages, insurance and retirement benefits for employees as they left. Before that, she worked for 12 years in the personnel department of Oldberg Manufacturing Company, a local industry that made shock absorbers.

"(Oldberg) closed and move their equipment to Spain," said Teague. "Bekaert moved to China. I'm glad to be out of industry. Hopefully, the city won't close on me."

Teague began at City Hall on May 12, working alongside Baltimore in the last two weeks before his retirement. She is now settling into the position and learning the differences between the public sector and private industry.

"It's a totally different world here," said Teague. "The public sector has a lot of different rules that I need to learn about. But for the most part, when you are dealing with people and the human resources aspect, they are just about the same. I feel that my past experience in HR is going to be a great asset to me in fulfilling the requirements of this job."

Teague will have the chance to help approximately 300 full- and part-time workers employed by the city in her new position.

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"I'm just getting to know everybody," said Teague. "Everybody has been really helpful to help me get acclimated to the job. I have a lot of really nice people to work with. I have a lot of people to get to know and I'm looking forward to that. I appreciate Mayor Holden giving me the opportunity to serve in this capacity."

Teague lives in Dyersburg, with her husband, Bill.