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The Andalusia Office Professionals Association selected Jeremie Brewer Shaffer as Office Professional of the Year at the organization’s 45th annual banquet held Monday, April 14 at Big Mike’s Steakhouse.

Shaffer works for the Covington County District Attorney’s Office and has been a member of AOPA since May 2022.

“I’m very new to the organization, but what I love most about this group is how much everyone desires to serve in and give back to our community. The AOPA officers and board do a very good job of making sure we are aware of the various needs in the community. We are also able to share needs we may be aware of and have a direct connection by casting our vote to how we allot the funds we raise. AOPA participates in various events in the community and provides scholarships to those who work full-time but decide to go back to school. We host the annual Monster Mash Dash 5K every October. I believe everything this organization chooses to be involved in are worthwhile endeavors,” Shaffer said.

She added that being selected for the AOPA’s Office Professional of the Year was a pleasant but unexpected surprise.

“There are many other ladies in AOPA who work hard and deserve to be recognized, so it felt pretty awkward. However, I’m very grateful to Walt (Merrell) for his kind words and continual support in my career and educational goals. I’m thankful to be a part of the District Attorney’s Office team and look forward to many more years serving our community in this capacity.”

She and her husband Frank Schaffer will celebrate their 27th anniversary on May 31. Frank serves the local community as the Covington County EMA’s deputy director. They have two children: Lorren and Riley. Lorren is an employee of Southern Independent Bank in Andalusia, and Riley is a full-time music industry student at Troy University.

Shaffer and her family have been involved in the local community for several years.

“Andalusia has always been home, so we take the opportunity to give back as often as possible. In addition to AOPA, I serve in my local church, Andalusia Bible Church, the AHS Band Boosters, Meredith’s Miracles, and Celebrate Recovery at Andalusia First United Methodist Church. Frank and I have been very blessed over the years, and it is rewarding to have the opportunity to bless others. It’s also a great way to help others, meet new people, and make new friends,” she said.

She began working at the Covington County District Attorney’s Office in August 2014. “I started in my new role as a community resource specialist for the opiate diversion program on March 8. I also decided to go back to school last fall and have been a full-time student at LBW for the last year.”

In addition to selecting Shaffer as Office Professional of the Year, the AOPA also appointed new officers at this year’s banquet. Those positions include Trece Mays as president, Yvonne Sowell as vice-president, Adrianna Carpenter as secretary, Courtney Shakespeare as treasurer, and Kim Johns and Kim Nawlin as directors.

Monthly meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at Tabby D’s at noon. Anyone interested in joining the AOPA may contact any member of the organization. Annual membership dues are $20.

For more information visit the Andalusia Office Professionals Association-AOPA page on Facebook.