Tuesday, June 17, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COUNTY NAMES WILSON NEW DSS DIRECTOR
Charlotte, NC – The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners has appointed Mary E. Wilson the new Department of Social Services (DSS) director.
Wilson has served in various positions for companies such as KoSa, Hoechst Celanese Corporation and Duracell. She has served as the executive director of the Friendship Community Development Corporation in Charlotte since January 2004.
"I am very pleased that Ms. Wilson has agreed to lead our Department of Social Services, " said County Manager Harry Jones. "I am confident that her management experience and knowledge of our Charlotte Mecklenburg community will bring a fresh perspective to the department."
"I look forward to working with the talented staff of DSS and our collaborative partners to serve the citizens of Mecklenburg County, " said Wilson. "As Charlotte Mecklenburg faces a continued increase in residents seeking assistance amid a tightening economy, it will be imperative for DSS to respond to these challenges with innovation, compassion and good stewardship of people and financial resources."
Wilson, a Charlotte resident, was selected from a nationwide recruitment search conducted by Waters-Oldani Executive Recruitment firm. At the conclusion of the search, panel interviews were held with County Manager Harry Jones and his Executive Team, a diverse group of DSS staff, four members of Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners (Parks Helms, Dumont Clarke, Norman Mitchell and Dan Ramirez) and a panel of community representatives.
Wilson will begin her new job on July 7, 2008, and will earn an annual salary of $150,000.
Wilson is currently serving as a Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Commissioner and parliamentarian to The Links Inc, Charlotte Crown Jewels Chapter. In addition, she has served on the 2006 School Building Solutions Committee, Economic Development Task Force on Corridor Revitalization and Affordable Housing Implementation Subcommittee.
Wilson will succeed Janice Allen Jackson, general manager for the County's Community Health and Safety focus area who has been serving as the interim director of DSS since January 2008. DSS, headquartered at 301 Billingsley Road in Charlotte, has a staff of 1,260 full-time employees and an FY2008 amended budget of $ 178 million (all funds) with $ 70.5 million of that being funded by the County.