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Public Notices

Longest serving DSS Employee Retires

 

 

Halloween is a milestone for Mr. Bertram Wilson of Pender County DSS. October 31, 1978 is the day he started working for Pender County, so it seems fitting that October 31 is also when Mr. Wilson retires after a lifetime of faithful service. If you do the math, that is 41 years of employment in Pender County!

He started working for Pender County all those years ago, through a grant called the Cedar Program. This work was the predecessor to the Recreation Department that we see today, as there was no Recreation Department in Pender County. The larger counties had Recreation Departments and the grant was designed to try to start one in Pender County. After the Cedar Program grant ran out, Mr. Wilson was hired as an Income Maintenance Worker. Although his father had worked in Social Services, he never really had an interest in following in his father’s footsteps. As it sometimes happens, Mr. Wilson ended up in a lifelong career that was unexpected.

When I asked Mr. Wilson if he could describe his long, distinguished career in one word, he answered, EXCITING! He said that working in Social Services definitely has its ups and downs. The reunification of a family that he worked with for 5 years ranks at the top of his list of happiest experiences while at Pender County DSS. 

I asked Mr. Wesley Stewart, Director of Pender County DSS for his thoughts on Mr. Wilson and he said the following.

“Bert was the longest tenured employee of the Department of Social Services, and with his retirement a great deal of  institutional knowledge will be lost. Bert served as one of my Foster Care Supervisor’s and went well beyond what was required to get the job done for which I will always be grateful. Bert always stood out as an example of someone who greatly cared about his staff, this agency and the citizens of Pender County.  It has been my pleasure to work with Mr. Bertram Wilson over the course of the last two and a half years and he will be missed!”  

Mr. Wilson is very involved with his church, St. John Missionary Baptist Church of Wallace and will use his new found free time working with the church on their various outreach projects. Along with his church activities, he enjoys spending time with his 10 year old grandson, La’sean, who is in his care. Through the years Mr. Wilson has been a foster parent to teenage children because he knows, through his work with Pender County, that these are the most difficult placements to make.

Mr. Wilson said that he may try to do some fishing and farming which are two activities he used to enjoy but hasn’t had much time for lately. Fun fact; Mr. Wilson worked on his family’s farm raising chickens and selling eggs to pay for college!

      When asked what his dream vacation is, Mr. Wilson said that he may decide to take a dream cruise one day. His dream trip? Driving across the United States, embarking on a cruise from Washington State, cruising to Alaska then from there to Hawaii! 

   I asked Mr.Wilson if there was a particular colleague over the years who had inspired him. He remembered Blondell Tucker who was his first supervisor at DSS for 3 years. He also had kind words about Mr. Stewart, stating that Mr. Stewart is always seeking ways to make Pender County DSS run as efficiently as possible.

When asked what he would miss most and least about working, Mr. Wilson said, without pause, “I will miss the people the most and the deadlines the least!”

Finally when asked for any words of wisdom he could leave us with, he said “Do your best and always be proud and committed.” Wise words from a role model for all Pender County employees.

Enjoy your retirement Mr. Wilson!

Happy Halloween!

Supplemental Benefits – Open Enrollment

 

 

 

 

VENDOR CONTACT INFORMATION – Please call directly with any questions

 

Delta Dental 1-800-662-8856

Community Eye Care 1-888-254-4290

MetLife Life Insurance 1-800-275-4638

Transamerica Whole Life (Creative Worksite Solutions) 1-866-971-9715

Cancer Select Plus (Creative Worksite Solutions) 1-866-971-9715

Lincoln Short Term Disability (Creative Worksite Solutions) 1-866-971-9715

Allstate Accident (Creative Worksite Solutions) 1-866-971-9715

Flex Spending Account (Corporate Benefit Services) 1-800-277-9476

Dependent Care Account (Corporate Benefit Services) 1-800-277-9476

Legal Shield/Identity Protection (John) 910-859-0102

Prudential 401(k) (Clay) 1-704-219-6104

Nationwide 457(b) (Michael) 919-909-0191

AFLAC Hospital Indemnity/ Accident/ Critical Illness Must enroll with AFLAC Representative in person

 

*DEPARTMENT HEADS AND LIASIONS PLEASE ENCOURAGE ALL EMPLOYEES TO LOG ON TO THEIR EMAIL TO COMPLETE THE ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE BY OCTOBER 11TH*

 

PLEASE BEWARE:

***** ANY ENROLLMENT FORMS NOT RECEIVED BY END OF BUSINESS ON OCTOBER 11, 2019 WILL CONSTITUTE A WAIVE OF COVERAGE REGARDLESS OF YOUR SELECTION ON THE QUESTIONNAIRE****

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT AND DEPENDENT CARE

 

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT AND DEPENDENT CARE

 

NOTE: Due to IRS regulations, Human Resources now requires enrollment forms be submitted annually for Flex Spending Account and/or Dependent Care Accounts.  Thank you in advance.

  • Please DO NOT send any enrollment forms to individuals within Human Resources

The Enrollment form should be filled out and  submitted to: openenrollment@pendercountync.gov on or before 10/11/2019.

 

2019 Flexible Benefit Account Enrollment Form

 

PLEASE BEWARE:

***** ANY ENROLLMENT FORMS NOT RECEIVED BY END OF BUSINESS ON OCTOBER 11, 2019 WILL CONSTITUTE A WAIVE OF COVERAGE REGARDLESS OF YOUR SELECTION ON THE QUESTIONNAIRE****

 

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New Pender County Manager Announced

Chad McEwen named Pender County Manager

BURGAW – Pender County commissioners announced Chad McEwen is the new county manager. McEwen has served as Pender County Assistant County Manager for the last two years. Prior to working for Pender County, McEwen worked for the Town of Burgaw for 13 years, seven of which he was town manager.

“Chad has proven leadership and management skills,” said George Brown, chairman of the Pender County Board of Commissioners. “We are pleased he has agreed to step into the role of county manager.”

McEwen will replace Randell Woodruff, who is stepping aside to become Brunswick County’s new county manager.

McEwen is a graduate of the University of North Carolina – Wilmington with an undergraduate degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as the county manager for Pender County,” said McEwen. “I greatly appreciate the confidence shown in me by the Pender County Board of Commissioners.”

McEwen will begin his new role as county manager effective Oct. 18.

McEwen is married and the couple have one son.

“I look forward to continuing to build upon the recent successes in Pender County,” said McEwen, particularly those endeavors that has made Pender County one of the most popular places in the country to live, work, and visit.

Pender County Welcomes Allen Vann as new Director of Buildings and Grounds

Please join us in welcoming Allen Vann to the Pender County Team.   

 

Hello, I’m Allen Vann and have been named Director of Buildings and Grounds for Pender County Government. Before coming to work here, I worked with Pender County Schools as Chief Officer of Auxiliary Services for the last year and eight months. Prior to Pender Schools, my career experience in facility management included seventeen years with Johnston County Schools where I served as Director of General and Regulatory Services.

I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Recently, I obtained my Graduate Degree (MBA) from Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina. I met by awesome wife, Valerie at UNCW and have been married for 23 years. We have two beautiful daughters, Logan and Chloe. As far as personal interests, I enjoy family time, tent camping, and kayaking.

I am extremely excited to be a part of the Pender County Team. It didn’t take me long to figure out what a great group of hard-working folks we have in the Public Works Department. I look forward to all of the opportunities we’ll share together and hope that I can help to make a difference for all stakeholders in Pender County.

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