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Boone County's presiding commissioner will leave office grateful and optimistic.

Ken Pearson's term as the presiding commissioner of Boone County will expire Friday.

Pearson was elected in January 2007.

He said one thing Boone County needs to continue to work on is economic development.

"The county and the city, the university, the business community, we've all worked together and the educational institutions have all worked together really well,” Boone County Presiding Commissioner Ken Pearson said. “I think we've kind of figured out how to do this thing in terms of attracting businesses here and so we need to really continue to do that. I consider that a kind of unfinished business."

Pearson said Boone County's biggest asset is the employees.

Pearson also said the most rewarding part of his position has been getting the opportunity to meet and learn from people from all walks of life in Boone County.

His replacement, republican Ed Robb will be sworn in Jan. 1, 2011.