Frank A. Hickman, life-long resident of Butler County, was appointed Friday by Gov. Don Siegelman to fill the vacant seat on the Butler County Commission, District Three.

Hickman, who has practiced law in Butler County for the past 25 years, received a personal phone call from the governor to tell him of the appointment.

"I was asked to put my name in the hat for the position, and was certainly honored to be appointed n I was doubly-honored that the governor would call me personally to inform me of my appointment," said Hickman.

In his announcement, the governor praised Hickman for his integrity.

"I am pleased that Frank has agreed to serve the people of Butler County," Siegelman said. "I am sure he will carry out his duties with integrity and the utmost responsibility to his community."

"I am truly honored that I have been given the opportunity to give something back to the community that has been so good to me and my family over the years," Hickman said. "My firm (Hartley and Hickman, attorneys at law,

has represented the Cities of Greenville and Georgiana, and the Town of McKenzie for many years, and I feel that my experience could be of some help to the other commissioners, and to the people of Butler County."

Butler County Board of Education Member Frank Thigpen, also representing District Three, welcomed Hickman's appointment.

"I have always thought a lot of Frank, and I know that he will represent the citizens of our district equally and fairly n I look forward with eager anticipation to working with him to serve District Three," Thigpen said.

Hickman currently serves as president of the Butler County Bar Association, and also as the State Bar Commissioner for the Second Judicial Circuit of Alabama, which encompasses Butler, Crenshaw and Lowndes counties.

Hickman also is active in community affairs. He is a long-time member of the Greenville Lions Club, The Greenville High School Athletic Club, former member of the American Cancer Society and the Butler County School Foundation. He also has taken an active interest in the public education system.

Hickman, along with his wife, Rebecca "Becky" Bozeman Hickman have two children, Walton and McLean.

They regularly attend church at the First United Methodist Church of Greenville, where Hickman has been active in the church's affairs.

He has served as chairman of the Pastor-Parrish Relations Committee, twice as chairman of the Administrative Board, as the church's lay leader and currently serves as lay member on the District Committee of Ordained Ministry for the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church and as chairman of the Greenville District Board of Trustees.

Hickman, a life-long Democrat, said he has no agenda going into office.

"I do not have any agendas or platforms going in, other than that I will work hard to listen to the people of the county and of District Three, and strive to serve the citizens equally and honestly," he said. "I have a good work ethic, and don't mind putting in extra hours, anytime it is necessary."

Hickman will be sworn into office later this week to fill the vacancy resulting from the untimely and unfortunate death of District Three Commissioner Joe Hendrix.