The Shadow
The Alleghany County Board of Supervisors has appointed Reid Walters as its new County Administrator.
Walters, who currently holds the position of Town Manager of Independence, Va., said, “I’m excited to come to Alleghany County and work as an administrator.”
Lauren, his wife, accompanied him at the special call meeting on Wed., March 16, and after Supervisor Matt Garten called the meeting to order, Supervisor Stephen Bennett made a motion to adjourn to a closed meeting, and Supervisor Cletus Nicely seconded the motion that passed by a 7-0 vote.
Lauren and Walters sat waiting while the closed meeting was taking place in another room, but after 15 minutes, Bennett returned and invited both to join the closed session.
Lauren declined. Walters then accompanied Bennett into the room where the closed session was being held.
Upon Walters’ return along with the seven members of the Alleghany County Board of Supervisors, Garten called the meeting to order, and Reid was approved as the new Alleghany County Administrator by a 7-0 vote.
Garten then called for a motion to adjourn, and after the 7-0 vote to adjourn was approved, Walters and Lauren were warmly welcomed by all in attendance.
Garten remarked, “We’re glad to welcome our new administrator and his wife to our area.”
He continued, “We look forward to a bright future.”
“Although the process has taken longer than we anticipated, the Board is glad to find someone who we think will be right for the community and the County organization,” Garten noted.
Reid spent 10 years as a high school teacher of history and drivers’ education after receiving a bachelor’s of science degree in social science education and political science and history from Western Carolina University.
He holds a master’s of public administration degree from Appalachian State University too.
Additionally, he has earned a municipal and county administration certification from UNC School of Government.
The Alleghany County Board of Supervisors conducted a national search to fill the position with the assistance of the Berkeley Group of Bridgewater, Va.
The Berkeley Group received applications and conducted initial interviews with the most qualified candidates who applied for the position. It then assisted with selecting finalists for interviews with the Board.
Also, the Berkeley Group provided interim County Administrator services during the transition.
Prior to serving in his current position, Walters served as Town Manager of Spencer N.C. and Bethel, N.C.
He has also served as the Vice-Chair of the Virginia Carolina Water Authority which provides drinking water to a two-county service area in N.C. and Va.
Walters has provided construction management for large-scale residential developments in the Raleigh, N.C. region. That was earlier in his career.
He is a member of the Virginia Local Government Management Assoc. (VLGMA) and the International City/County Management Assoc. (ICMA).
Walters remarked, “I am honored to have this opportunity to be of service to Alleghany County.”
He added, “The Board of Supervisors has a great vision for this community, and I look forward to helping to implement that vision.”
Lauren and Walters plan to relocate to the Alleghany Highlands, and they have two children, Wrenn, eight; and Henry, five.
Lauren’s maiden name is Raper, and she was born in Concord, N.C. She is a principal, and her qualifications as an educator include a bachelor’s of arts degree in history and Spanish from North Carolina State University, a master’s degree in history from Western Carolina University and a master’s degree in school administration that she received in 2018 at WCU.
Currently, she is completing her studies at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. where she is pursuing an EdS, a unique postgraduate degree somewhere between a master’s degree and a PhD.
She said, “I have one year to go at Appalachian State to finish my EdS.”
Walters observed, “This is a special region of the Commonwealth, and I believe that I can help make a positive and lasting impact.”
He concluded, “I appreciate the confidence that the Board has shown in me and look forward to working for the citizens of the county and the whole of the Alleghany Highlands.”
With consolidation between Covington City Schools and Alleghany County Public Schools just around the corner, Walters, who was a high school teacher for more than a decade, will be able to draw on his experience in working with all parties concerned.
