GATESVILLE – The new Gates County Manager will not have to browse the local real estate listings in search of a home….she’s already here.

The Gates County Board of Commissioners announced Friday that Natalie Rountree has been selected as the new County Manager, effective July 1. Rountree resides in Eure with her husband, Hunter, and two children.

“I saw this as a unique opportunity, one where I can use my experience in local government and try and make a difference by helping the people of this county that I’ve called home for the past 16 years,” said Rountree.

A native of Salisbury (RowanCounty), Rountree is an undergraduate of North Carolina State University, and a graduate of North Carolina State University with a Masters of Public Administration. Additional studies have been completed at East Carolina University and College of the Albemarle.

She met Hunter Rountree while both were students at NC State. The couple married and settled in the community of Eure where he operates the family owned FHR Farms.

“Our roots are here in Gates County; we’re here to stay,” Rountree stressed.

Rountree arrives as County Manager armed with experience in local government. She has served as Director for the Albemarle Commission, Northeast Workforce Development Board in Hertford since last year. She joined the Albemarle Commission in April of 2011, initially serving as Assistant Director Northeast Workforce Development Board.

Rountree also has experience as a Training & Employment Specialist for State Energy Sector Partnership; and as an Employment Consultant for North Carolina Employment Security Commission in Edenton.

She spent 10 years (1998-2008) as a 4-H Extension Agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Hertford County.

“Mrs. Rountree has an exceptional background in working with various local governmental agencies and should readily adapt to county and municipal government’s legal, organizational, and administrative functions and responsibilities,” said Henry Jordan, Chairman of the Gates County Board of Commissioners.

“Her experience in budgeting, grant writing, business management, leadership, economic development, data analysis, and human resources should prove to be great assets for Gates County.  Best of all she is a local resident of the county who has a vested interest in the success of Gates County, and can relate to the citizens of the county,” Jordan added.

Those wishing to meet Rountree are invited to a reception at Merchants Millpond State Park from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2.