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GATESVILLE – Gates County Manager Natalie Rountree has been terminated from her position.

The decision was made tonight (Wednesday) at the regularly scheduled meeting of the county’s Board of Commissioners. The vote came shortly after the board emerged from a 90-minute closed session dealing with legal and personnel issues.

Commissioner Althea Riddick motioned for Rountree’s termination and for it to be effective immediately. Commissioner Jonathan Jones offered a second and the ensuing vote was 4-1 in favor of the motion. Commissioner Linda Hofler cast the lone dissenting vote.

No reason was given for Rountree’s termination.

Prior to adjourning the meeting, Jones motioned for Diane Hendrix to be appointed interim county manager effective immediately with compensation and terms of that contract negotiated between Commission Chairman Ray Freeman and Hendrix

Hendrix is currently the director of the county’s Customer Service department. She previously served as clerk to the board of commissioners and was the administrative assistant to several former county managers.

Rountree was hired as Gates County Manager on July 1, 2014. Prior to that she served as Director for the Albemarle Commission’s Northeast Workforce Development Board 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.

Rountree, a native of Rowan County, lives in Eure with her husband, a local farmer.