Kay Pesnell will get a job promotion July 1.

A group of Douglas County Democratic precinct committee members on Monday selected Pesnell, deputy register of deeds, to take over the office’s top spot.

She’ll finish the two years remaining on the term of Sue Neustifter, who is retiring. In her resignation letter, Neustifter recommended Pesnell for the post.

“Kay has done a great job for me, and she’ll do a great job for you,” Neustifter told the Democrats on Monday. “She knows the job very well. Her main purpose is to serve the public, and that’s been one of the goals in the office. When someone walks in the door, we drop everything and help them.”

The 35 Democrats who met Monday night at the East Lawrence Center unanimously selected Pesnell. No one else was nominated.

Pesnell, 55, has worked 12 years in the register of deeds’ office. She became deputy register about two years ago.

Neustifter, 63, is retiring after 30 years as register of deeds. She spent another 13 years working in the office.

Pesnell, who lives near Eudora, said she didn’t expect any major changes in the office.

“I really enjoyed serving under Sue,” she said. “I hope I can do as well as she’s done all these years.”

Pesnell praised the advances in technology Neustifter brought to the office.

“Sue has us in good shape technology-wise,” she said. “The only challenge coming up is if we go to all electronic filing, and that’ll be something we’d all have to learn together.”