With the Democratic primary concluded and the major work of the North Carolina General Assembly's 2026 short session complete, State Representative Rodney D. Pierce is continuing his commitment to keeping constituents informed and connected to the state government.

As part of his Bringing the Capital to the Constituents series, North Carolina Department of Revenue Secretary McKinley Wooten, Jr. will be the featured guest at 1 p.m. on Friday, August 21, in Room 401 at Halifax Community College in Weldon.

Residents will have the opportunity to learn more about the work of the NCDOR, the resources and services available to taxpayers, and how the department supports individuals, families, and businesses across North Carolina.

Wooten will discuss the department’s mission, highlight available resources, and answer questions from constituents.

NCDOR is responsible for administering North Carolina’s tax laws and collecting taxes in an impartial, consistent, secure, and efficient manner to help fund public services that benefit the people of the state. The department also provides taxpayer assistance, online services, notices and updates, and educational resources to help North Carolinians understand and meet their tax responsibilities.

Wooten has been a public servant in North Carolina for over 30 years and has held several senior level leadership positions. A native of Kinston, he is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Morehouse College and holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law. After a short stint in private practice after law school, he began his public service as a civil magistrate in Wake County in 1992.

In 2001, Wooten was appointed deputy secretary for Internal Services, Programs and Legislative Affairs at the NC Department of Administration, where he served for eight years. 

In 2009, he became deputy director of the NC Administrative Office of the Courts.

He was appointed interim director in 2019 and, in early 2020, became the first African American to serve as director of the AOC in the history of the state’s unified court system. 

In 2021, he was appointed assistant secretary for Tax Processing, Research and Equity at the NCDOR. Governor Josh Stein appointed Wooten Secretary of the Department in January 2025.

Wooten’s appearance marks the first installment of Bringing the Capital to the Constituents since January. The signature civic engagement series was created to connect residents directly with state leaders, policymakers, and public officials while bringing information and resources from Raleigh into local communities.

“Bringing the Capital to the Constituents is about making sure the people we represent have a direct connection to the leaders, information, and resources that impact their daily lives,” said Pierce. “I appreciate Secretary Wooten taking the time to come directly to our community and help residents better understand the important services available through the Department of Revenue.”

The event is free and open to the public.