NATCHEZ &8212; Historic Downtown Natchez will soon have a new representative.

Downtown Development Association Director Tammi Gardner is leaving in the coming weeks, and Carrie Kimbrell will step into her role.

Kimbrell will start Monday, and Gardner will leave Friday, creating an overlap in which Kimbrell can become oriented with the job, Gardner said.

Born and raised in Louisville, Kimbrell currently lives in Brookhaven and has been working in Jackson as a lobbyist.

&8220;I&8217;ve done a lot of marketing and public relations,&8221; Kimbrell said.

&8220;I thought with my background, this would be a good job. I wanted to be in a position where I could work and help improve the community.&8221;

Kimbrell graduated from Mississippi State University with both her bachelor&8217;s and master&8217;s degrees.

She said she was looking forward to working with the DDA board and that she wanted to see Natchez prosper.

&8220;I&8217;m very excited,&8221; Kimbrell said.

&8220;I think Natchez is a unique city with so much to offer. My first goal is to get out there and visit within the community, get ideas for new projects for the new year.&8221;

Gardner said leaving her position after seven years was bittersweet.

&8220;I loved this job,&8221; Gardner said. &8220;It&8217;s really been my life, but I think it&8217;s just time for new blood and enthusiasm.&8221;

Gardner, who will soon have a new baby, said it would be nice to have time with the baby away from the high-profile and high-pressure job.

&8220;Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, you&8217;re always at work,&8221; she said.

Gardner said she looked forward to seeing the new director step into her role, but that she was having a little trouble letting go.

&8220;I&8217;ve been director for seven years, and (the association) has been like my baby, and I wanted to turn it over to someone I feel will do the job well,&8221; Gardner said.

&8220;I think (Kimbrell) is going to be great.&8221;