New Beginning
Published 4:42 pm Friday, September 27, 2019
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WINDSOR – Dominique Walker, who for the past 18 months has served as an assistant to retiring Bertie County Manager Scott Sauer, has accepted a position as a Budget Analyst with Spartanburg (SC) County government.
Walker, who completed her Masters of Public Administration (MPA) degree from NC Central University in 2018, came to Bertie County after participating in a Management Fellowship program sponsored by the NC Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) in 2017. Her first-year duties with the fellowship provided Walker with experience at the state level, working at NCACC headquarters in Raleigh and also provided an opportunity to work with county commissioners from across the state.
“It was also during this time, Bertie County District-5 Commissioner Ernestine Bazemore was serving on the NCACC’s Board of Directors and recognized Dominique’s talent and skill-set,” said Sauer. “We felt that she could bring those same talents to Bertie County since at the time the Board was initiating the formation of the Poverty Commission.”
Dominique Walker (second from left) is feted with an staff autographed map of Bertie County by Commissioners (from left) Ron Wesson, Ernestine Bazemore, chairman John Trent, and vice-chair Greg Atkins at the Sept. 3rd Commissioners’ meeting. Walker, who served as assistant to County Manager Scott Sauer, is leaving for a job with Spartanburg (SC) county government. Staff Photo by Gene Motley
In 2018, the NCACC sponsored a second year of the Management Fellowship, thus allowing Walker to work at the local government level in the Bertie County Manager’s Office to support various Board projects.
In addition to staffing the newly-formed Bertie County Poverty Commission, Walker worked closely with high school students and with the support of then-Bertie County Schools Superintendent Dr. Catherine Edmonds, established the Junior County Commissioner program. Walker also served as the county’s liaison with the 2020 Census county committee and was instrumental in launching the Bertie-Martin-Washington County Leadership Academy which began in June of this year.
Following the successful completion of Walker’s 12-month Management Fellowship, the Bertie Commissioners approved a permanent staff position for her as the Assistant to the County Manager, which she had held since early spring of 2019.
During the summer months, Walker was instrumental in establishing two student summer internship opportunities—one in the County Manager’s Office, and one in the Bertie County Department of Emergency Services.
“Dominique leaves Bertie County having spent 16 months working to advance the priorities and objectives established by the County Commissioners, and we wish her much success in the next phase of her career,” said Sauer.
