Pettigrew to become new County Administrator
Photo: Andrea Pettigrew (Courtesy photo)
July 11, 2025 – The DeSoto County Board of Supervisors this week announced that Chief Financial Officer Andrea Pettigrew is the Interim County Administrator with the announced retirement of Vanessa Lynchard at the end of this year.
Pettigrew was selected by the Board of Supervisors to become County Administrator with the start of 2026. Pettigrew and Lynchard will be working side-by-side through December to make the transition as smooth as possible. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, the “interim” title will be removed and Pettigrew will officially step into the role as County Administrator.
DeSoto County News submitted a group of questions to Pettigrew to learn more about her background and how she views her role for the county as she assumes the new position. Following are the questions and her answers.
DCN: Tell a little bit about yourself, your background and how you came to work with DeSoto County.
I moved to DeSoto County after completing my undergraduate degrees at Mississippi State in March of 2001. When I first moved here I was so excited to have found this beautiful, growing, corner of our State and I knew then I had found my forever home County. I was lucky to begin my career at the Southaven Chamber of Commerce that was located in the Southaven City Hall building at that time. While working at the Chamber I was introduced to local government, a year later the City of Southaven had a Public Services Manager position to become available and I was chosen to fill that position, I served in that role for about a year and then was moved in to the Finance Director position and served the City of Southaven until October 2008. While serving the City of Southaven, I was able to witness first-hand the growth of Snowden Grove Park and the City of Southaven as a whole. It was an amazing experience with a lot of exceptional training and brilliant co-workers.
While working at the City of Southaven I obtained my Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration, also from Mississippi State, which then led to my job as the first ever City Administrator for the City of Horn Lake. While serving the City of Horn Lake, the Mayor’s Youth Council was established, I worked with businesses for various tax incentives and assisted with recruiting American Contract Bridge League, an international headquarters. I also served as the City Clerk and was very active in the Mississippi Municipal Clerk Association as well as the Mississippi Municipal League, even serving the league as their Youth Council Chairman one year. The opportunities I had during my time at both the City of Southaven and City of Horn Lake developed my skill set and prepared me for my future with DeSoto County.
It was a tough decision I made to leave Horn Lake but in June of 2015 I was offered the Chief Financial Officer position with the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors and I knew I would be able to work for all of the Citizens of DeSoto County in this role and hopefully continue my journey to serve my community. It has been a wonderful position during a time of tremendous growth in our County coupled with many opportunities to learn about County government.
DCN: What was your interest in doing this type of work?
I have always had a calling for public service. I enjoy this type of work because there is never a day where anything is the same. There are always challenges with any government job however in DeSoto County those challenges have always resulted in opportunities. I enjoy working with numbers, crafting budgets, working with policies and implementing procedures that allow for processes to run more effectively and efficiently. Government is typically not seen as efficient and processes tend to be outdated, however DeSoto County is not your typical government. The Board of Supervisors are very forward thinking and I have truly been able to assist them with their goals of serving the citizens of DeSoto County in the most efficient and effective way.
DCN: How do you view your responsibilities in this position?
I am honored to have been chosen to serve the citizens of DeSoto County and a big portion of my responsibilities will be to collaborate with the Board of Supervisors, Department Managers, the Road Manager and other elected County Officials.
DCN: How involved will you be with Vanessa Lynchard during the transition period?
Vanessa and I have worked closely for the last ten years, especially during budget season. Vanessa has mentored me and allowed me to grow in my position as CFO. Once budget season is over I will transition to a bigger administrative role where she will mentor and guide me through the intricacies of overseeing and managing multiple county departments and projects.
DCN: The administrator’s position seems to be very active in setting the budget each year. What will be your involvement in that process this year?
As CFO I have always been involved with the budget process and work hand in hand with the County Administrator. It has always been a collaborative effort with the administrator, CFO and department managers and it will continue through this budget season.
DCN: What do you think will be the most challenging part of being the County Administrator?
With every challenge comes the opportunity for growth and wisdom. I have very large shoes to fill and during the transition I know there will be a learning curve to some degree such as balancing the long list of responsibilities counties are required to fulfill. I see these challenges as an opportunity to work closely with the Board of Supervisors, department managers and other County Elected Officials.
DCN: Anything else I should know or add.
One of my guiding principles I have had for many years that was instilled in me during my Alpha Gamma Delta sorority days is “To serve the world in the community where I am placed”
Pettigrew is married to husband Bryan Pettigrew with four children in a blended family: Hunter Pettigrew, Magan Pettigrew, Wesley “Alex” Freeze, and Carter Freeze.
