NORTH FORSYTH — Forsyth County’s planning board welcomed back a familiar face Tuesday night.

Bettina Hammond attended her first work session after being appointed to the panel as the representative for District 4 in north Forsyth. It came about 12 years after she first served in that capacity.

Hammond was appointed in 2004 and served on the board through 2008 before Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills appointed her to the north Forsyth post on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

“I think my experience [will benefit the board],” she said. “Because this is not a full term, and I don’t have to be trained because I’ve already done it.”

Hammond replaces Alan Neal, who recently resigned from the position to spend more time with his family and personal career.

Hammond is also no stranger to the goings-on in Forsyth. The county hired her in 1998 to establish and organize the first procurement department, where she implemented policies and procedures that strived to ensure fairness, equality and savings in the spending of tax dollars.

“I’ve seen both sides of it,” she said, noting the benefits of being a property owner who has worked for the county but also been involved in community planning.

Hammond has lived in Georgia since 1975 and in Forsyth since 1980. She also has worked in economic development at Georgia Tech and at the Small Business Administration for Rockwell International.

Hammond also volunteers with area nonprofits and enjoys spending time with her husband, Allen, and their grandchildren.