John Carroll named Director of the Year

John Carroll received his Director of the Year Award

The Director of the Department of Social Services in Rutherford County has been recognized by the State.

John Carroll has been named Director of the Year by the NC Association of County Directors of Social Services.

Carroll said receiving the award is a great honor.

"Our association is a valuable resource and I appreciate the collaborative relationship with other directors across the state and from the association's director and leadership team," he said.

Carroll said his most valuable resource, "And the one I could not do without" is the management team and staff in Rutherford County. He described the team as being "excellent."

"They are the ones that are the boots on the ground working with families and providing direct services every day. Their work ethic, knowledge, and dedication is unmatched in my opinion.

"The support that the agency receives from the DSS Board, the County Manager, and the County Commissioners is invaluable as well in meeting the needs of the county's citizens," Carroll concluded.

He began his career in Social Services at Mecklenburg County DSS as an Eligibility Specialist in the Food Stamps Unit in January 1985 and stayed there until August 1988.

He transferred to Rutherford County DSS as a Social Worker in August 1988 and later went to Cleveland County DSS as a Social Worker Supervisor in 1989. He came back to Rutherford County DSS as Director in September 2002 where he has been since that time.

A graduate of Crest High School in 1981, Carroll is also a graduate of Gardner Webb College with a BA in Sociology and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1993 with a MHDL (Counseling/Guidance).

He is married to Beth Carroll, a teacher at Chase High School, and they have two adult daughters.

Caroll has also been the organist for Zion Baptist Church since 1982.

He is an active member in the several civic groups including the Forest City Kiwanis Club, Aktion Club of Rutherford County, NC Association of County Directors of Social Services and serves on numerous community boards and committees.

He enjoys running and he is an avid The Andy Griffin Show fan and trivia expert on that subject.