Can you tell us about your professional journey and current position?
I began my public service career in law enforcement and served 4 ½ years with the Winston-Salem Police Department and 19 ½ years with the Kernersville Police Department. I rose through the ranks at KPD and served my last 3 ½ years as Chief of Police. I transitioned to managing municipalities in 2014 and served as the manager of the Town of Stoneville for five years and the Town of Denton for a little over two years. I was recently selected to be the fifth manager of the Town of Mocksville and will start that job on May 3, 2021.
What contributed to your decision to pursue an MPA degree?
I decided to pursue an MPA degree when the Chief of Police I was serving under at the time started to seriously consider retirement. I felt an MPA degree would set me apart from other potential candidates for the job (and it did). I am also a lifelong learner and non-traditional student who earned an undergraduate degree while raising a family so the MPA was a way to challenge myself to grow and learn as an individual.
How did the App State MPA program prepare you to work in government, nonprofit, or the private sector?
Even though I had already been working for local government for almost twenty years the App State MPA program taught me how government should and could work when it is operating at peak performance. It opened my eyes to new ideas and gave me critical reasoning skills that helped me be a more flexible problem solver and savvy consumer of research. The App State network provided assistance, guidance and support as I transitioned from being a specialist law enforcement executive to a generalist municipal manager. I would not have been nearly as successful in my second career without an App State MPA.
What advice would you give to individuals considering the App State MPA program?
I encourage anyone seeking an MPA to choose ASU. The program is affordable, the teaching staff is outstanding and the curricula prepares students for the workplace. The network is phenomenal in both support and placement.
If hiring, what would you look for in new graduates of the App State MPA program?
I look for people who have a passion for their work, a willingness to learn and grow and an ability to interact well with supervisors, co-workers, direct reports and customers.