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GATESVILLE – Gates County officials are hoping that the wealth of experience possessed by their newly named manager will lead to a bright future.

Timothy L. Wilson is the choice of the Gates County Board of Commissioners following months of searching for a new manager.

The board met Thursday in a special called meeting. Following a closed session to discuss personnel, Commission Vice Chair Jack Owens motioned to enter into a contract, as discussed by the board, with Wilson to serve as county manager. Commissioner Linda Hofler offered a second and the motion was approved by a 4-0 vote. Commissioner Jonathan Jones did not attend Thursday’s meeting.

Wilson is expected to begin his new job on May 3. A copy of his contract is forthcoming.

“During these unprecedented times of fiscal and resource challenges and opportunities, Tim possesses the desirable combination of education, knowledge, work experiences, communication skills and personality traits that the Board of Commissioners, county staff, and citizens of Gates County need to position the county for the future,” said Dr. Althea Riddick, Chair of the County Commissioners, in a press release.

Wilson, a native of Newport News, VA, is currently the Director of Planning and Community Development for the town of Front Royal, VA. There he supervises departments which provide services in community planning, zoning administrations, property management and code enforcement, and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program administration.

He has 30 years of public service experience in the field of local government, working with developing rural counties and towns in both Virginia and North Carolina. Twenty-five of those years were in senior management level positions such as department director, town manager, and county administrator.

He is no stranger to North Carolina governance having served eight years as Director of Planning and Development for the Town of Nags Head.

Wilson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Christopher Newport University and completed additional studies at Virginia Commonwealth University in Legal and Legislative Foundations of Planning and successfully completed the Virginia Certified Board of Zoning Appeals Program as well as Virginia Planning Commissioners Program.

Wilson is married. His wife, Sharon, a graduate of Christopher Newport University is a professional social worker. They have two adult daughters, Rebecca, a graduate of East Carolina University, and Sarah, a graduate of UNC Pembroke. They have three grandchildren, Robby, Rachel, and Ryleigh.

During the month of April there will be scheduled opportunities for the staff and citizens of Gates County and surrounding county officials to meet Wilson. Those opportunities will follow CDC guidelines.

In a statement, the Gates County Board of Commissioners said they will ensure that every local government entity, business, civic organization, service provider/collaborator, church, etc. will have the opportunity to hear from Wilson as well as having a chance to speak with him.

Wilson replaces Natalie Rountree who was terminated from her position as county manager in a 4-1 vote of the commissioners at their meeting on Oct. 21, 2020.

Since that time, Diane Hendrix has served as interim county manager. Hendrix was the director of the county’s Customer Service department and previously served as clerk to the board and was the administrative assistant to several former county managers.

Hendrix will serve as manager until Wilson’s arrival in May.