Denise Griffin 33, is City Clerk for Northwoods, Missouri. She has lived in Northwoods since she was three years old, and growing up she often hung around the city hall. What clue did she ever have that she would someday be the city clerk?

Griffin has had a chance to acquire an early look at her career. The city has gone through a lot of changes over the last two decades, and it is still very family oriented; the government has put a lot into youth in the area especially when she was little.

“We always had programs; we were always able to come to the parks and be in some type of program (physical fitness, crafts, something.).

” While in the park she was able to come in city hall to get water. She has known most of the clerks, even the retired ones, just by running in and out of city hall getting water and playing in the park as a child. While doing internships she has been all around city hall. Quite naturally it was not anything she inspired to be, it was just an opportunity that was opened up for her.

Denise graduated from Normandy Senior High in 1988 then attended Forest Park and UMSL colleges. Who said Normandy graduates aren’t doing their thing?

“The first job I ever had was in the City of Northwoods, could you believe it?"

”Over time her jobs has changed a lot since she has worked in Northwoods. As of April of 1999, there were some administrative changes. The administrator, the person that handles all the finances, unfortunately quit; therefore the position of finance officer was offered to her. Having no financial background, she decided to take the position anyway. With this new position she learned a lot and it has enhanced her city clerk duties.

“I am very dedicated to Northwoods and I’m not just saying that because I work her” She also owns a home here and is raising a family here. They just love the fact that she works so close. She likes the flexibility and being responsible to handle her own work; not very many jobs will let you do that.

“I ABSOLUTEY LOVE NORTHWOODS!”

With Ms. Eunice as a mentor, she spends a lot of time sharing life experiences, and what they need to do to go forward.