BY ELENA MARSH
Insider Staff Writer
Over the course of this year, county officials and staff are saying goodbye and “happy retirement” to not one long-time county employee but five.
Some of the biggest and longest-serving names in Moore County government are packing up their offices and bidding a fond farewell to the hustle and bustle of county activities.
Assistant County Manager, Janet Parris; Capital Projects Manager, Rich Smith; Youth Services Director, Teresa Brewer; Public Works Director, Randy Gould; and Parks and Recreation Director, Billy Ransom have given years — decades — of their careers to public service and are ready to turn the page into retirement.
“All of these individuals have provided exceptional service to the citizens of Moore County and they will be greatly missed,” said County Manager Wayne Vest. “As county manager, I have benefited from their unwavering support and commitment in delivering services that improve the lives of Moore County citizens and visitors.”
Ransom was the first to retire from the county after an almost 40-year career with the parks department. In 2014, Ransom was recognized for receiving the Meritorious Service Award from the North Carolina Recreation and Park Association.
The award honors long-term tenure and “faithful service.” Ransom’s accomplishments include completion of Hillcrest Park, completion of a new field house at the park in Carthage and hosting the 2011 Dixie Youth World Series.
“I made the comment that Billy had been scouting-out the retirement world for the others and provided such a great assessment, the others just couldn’t resist joining him,” said Vest at a luncheon to honor retirees on June 4.
Smith was one of the first to follow Ransom’s lead and has since also retired. His most recent feat was overseeing the construction of the new Moore County Courts Facility, which will open in just a few weeks.
Even though his official retirement date was June 7, Smith is set to return as a “resource employee” to help finish some projects. Smith, who was the project manager for the construction of the public safety center in 2011, began his job as Capital Projects Manager with the county in 2017.
Brewer will hang up a few hats on her way out on July 31. Since 2016 she has worn the title of Child Support Director, Day Reporting Director and Youth Services Director. Brewer served the county for eight years, but held multiple social services titles in other counties for a combined 30 years of DSS service.
“I have nothing but good things to say about Moore County,” said Brewer. “I am going to miss it, but I hope that I have helped someone along the way. I am planning to stay around. I have a third grandchild arriving soon and I might do some painting.”
Gould has been the Public Works Director for the county since 2011, coming in with more than 33 years of experience as a professional engineer. Most recently, he’s overseen the N.C. 211 sewer project to Seven Lakes and assisted the county with developing a long term water sourcing plan.
“(Working for the county) has been a very rewarding experience,” said Gould. “We accomplished a lot together and working with the county has been a really good experience for me.”
Gould is planning to sick around Pinehurst, spend time with his grandchildren and do some traveling.
As a Moore County native, Paris has been working in county government since November 1989. The now-assistant county manager has spent 35 years working jobs from county tax department to child support.
“I have been so thankful for the different opportunities that the county government has given me,” said Paris. “This is my home, I was born here and this is where I have been and will be. It has been an honor to be here serving my home.
“It is time for the next chapter.”
Contact Elena Marsh at (910) 693-2484 or elena@thepilot.com.
