Erris J. Dunston of Louisburg replaces Linda Taylor, who retired at the end of November.
Dunston, however, will not take the lead as the county's financial planner as was one of Taylor's chief roles, County Manager Tony Brown said this afternoon.
The county will announce at a later date the name of its new finance director, Brown said.
Dunston begins her new duties May 1 and will be charged with supervising various department heads and planning special projects, the county manager said.
The county said in a statement Dunston served as planning director for more than eight years in Henderson.
Dunston holds a bachelor’s degree in geography and a master’s degree in public administration, both from North Carolina Central University. “She has extensive knowledge and experience in the areas of information technology, geographic information systems, as well as in planning and development,” Brown said in the statement. “She also completed the Municipal and County Administration Course through UNC’s School of Government.”
Said Brown of Dunston, “Erris will bring a fresh perspective on the issues facing Halifax County. With her broad background, including technology and planning, she will be a good asset on the management team.”
Dunston will relocate to Halifax County in the near future.
In a letter to the Home in Henderson website, Henderson City Manager Ray Griffin said, “Erris has served the City of Henderson since June 2005 when she was hired as the Planning and Community Development Director. She has been a team player and brought significant value to the city with the successful writing of two HOPE VI grants for downtown.” Additionally, Griffin said in the letter, “She helped marshal through the updating of the City’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan. She has also participated in as well as led several process improvement teams.”
He called the opportunity in Halifax County, “A perfect beginning point for her to begin achieving her goals.
I appreciate the hard work Erris has given to the City of Henderson and its citizens and I wish her well in her future endeavors.”
