Can you tell us about your professional journey and current position?
I have been with Pitt County for three years and am the deputy county manager CFO. Before that with Mooresville within the finance dept, various roles; left for Catawba town manager; and then ended up in Pitt
What contributed to your decision to pursue an MPA degree?
First job out of college in sales and met with people in private and public, public sector people seemed more happy, less stressed, seemed easier to deal with/maybe because they deal with the public, not nature of public administrators, seemed laid back compared to private sector customers who seemed uptight, bottom line driven in private sector, public sector driven by public service motivation, discovered App had an MPA program with the Hickory cohort, distance education very helpful for working people, App state program caters toward working people and allows you opportunity to keep working while getting an education
How did the App State MPA program prepare you to work in government, nonprofit, or the private sector?
MPA program opened my eyes to different perspectives and different scenarios. It Helps you start building that network and connection of people. The program lays the foundation to dig deeper. Students get real world experience from guest speakers and case studies; so you don’t make the same mistakes. “There was no how to work in a pandemic class”; it teaches you to learn, adjust, and adapt when you are facing something like a pandemic.
What advice would you give to individuals considering the App State MPA program?
APPLY. Local govt is smaller than private industry. Only a handful of people have an MPA and it sets you a step above. NETWORK. A lot of people are in positions today because they knew somebody.
If hiring, what would you look for in new graduates of the App State MPA program?
Fit - you can be as smart as can be, but personality has to fit. I look for people who are eager to learn but not expected to be handed anything because you have an MPA. I want to see someone with experience; who has something they can bring to the table and is eager to learn more. Stay humble.