Frank &8220;Corley&8221; Ellis, III was sworn in as the newest member of the Shelby County Commission Monday, filling the vacancy created by the death of Commissioner Billy Thompson.

Ellis, appointed to the District 1 seat by Gov. Bob Riley, represents the communities of Columbiana, Harpersville, Wilsonville, Vincent and part of Westover.

&8220;I am confident that Corley Ellis will provide the people of Shelby County with excellent service,&8221; Riley said. &8220;As a local businessman, Corley understands the problems facing small businesses and local governments. There is no doubt in my mind that he will do an admirable job as Commissioner.&8221;

Ellis, a life-long resident of Shelby County, has worked in real estate for more than a decade and operates his own business in Columbiana.

Though the commission appointment represents Ellis&8217; first brush with public office, his family background and involvement in various civic organizations give him a familiarity with the political arena.

Ellis recently stepped down as President of the Board of Directors for the Shelby County CASA Program, a program designed to help troubled youth.

His grandfather, Leven Handy Ellis, is a former Lieutenant Governor of Alabama, and his father, Frank C. &8220;Butch&8221; Ellis served for 11 years in the Alabama Senate.

&8220;I am honored to have been chosen for this position,&8221; Ellis said. &8220;Billy Thompson was a wonderful commissioner and public servant, and left big shoes to fill.

We&8217;ve got a wonderful group of commissioners that work well together, and I hope to bring something to the table and look forward to working with them.&8221;

Ellis said his greatest challenge as a commissioner may well be performing the &8220;balancing act,&8221; juggling rapid growth with expanding service and infrastructure needs.

&8220;As I see it we are a very, very fortunate county, a prosperous county,&8221; he said. &8220;But with that growth and prosperity comes growing pains.&8221;