A longtime banker has announced plans to run for the office of Clerk of Courts for the special election scheduled July 20.

Gaye Cantrell has lived in Dawson County for the past 36 years. She is a 1977 graduate of Dawson County High School, who worked in the banking industry for 25 years.

During her banking career, she served as senior operations officer for a Gainesville-based bank and as director of training for a 32-office bank holding company.

Cantrell was awarded the Chairman’s Award while serving on the board of directors for the Georgia Chapter of the American Institute of Banking.

Cantrell touted her management and leadership abilities: “If the citizens of Dawson County allow me the opportunity ... I will put the skills and knowledge that I have acquired during my banking career to work in order to provide professional and quality service to the citizens and court officials.”

She is a Rotarian, and she serves as assistant governor and on the board of directors for district 6910. She is also a member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church and is a choir member.

Former Clerk of Courts Becky McCord resigned March 18 in the wake of a criminal investigation into money missing from the office.

Qualifying for the election will run from 9 a.m. April 24 through noon April 30.