There’s a new face in town, and she’s taken the reigns of Andalusia’s largest retailer.

Christy Burns, a 21-year veteran employee of Wal-Mart is in the midst of her second week as store manager of the local store, and said she couldn’t be happier.

“So far, the people have been nice,” she said. “I came and checked out the store before I accepted the position and everyone seemed nice.

“I got to go to some of the local businesses,” she said. “And people were very welcoming.”

Burns said she is very excited about getting to know the community.

“I’m just looking forward to getting more involved in the community,” she said. “We are the ambassador between Wal-Mart and the community. We are trying to save people money, so they can live better.”

Her career with Wal-Mart began in 1989, when she was in high school.

“I worked in Ocean Springs (Miss.),” she said. “I was a cashier in high school. I attended the University of New Orleans and received a bachelor’s in marketing.”

Burns said she had been accepted to LSU medical school where she planned to become a nurse, but her Wal-Mart manager saw potential in her and talked her into developing her skills.

“We try to develop our associates because we like to promote from within,” she said.

Prior to coming to Andalusia, Burns said she was a shift manager at the Crestview store.

“The opportunity just came,” she said. “We can apply for jobs all around the country.”

Burns, who commutes daily from Crestview, Fla., is the mother of two, an 8-year-old and a 2-year-old.

“It takes about 45 minutes to commute,” she said. “But I get to use the phone, and it’s a good time to rewind. I get some quiet and ‘me’ time. I’m also listening to a new series by Beth Moore.”

Burns said church is a large part of her family’s life.

“We’re members of the First Baptist Church in Crestview and my husband volunteers,” she said. “I volunteer when my schedule permits.”

Burns said the move to Andalusia is up in the air because her husband works in Niceville, Fla.