Catawba County Manager's Office

The Catawba County Manager's Office includes staff responsible for planning and implementing the directives of the Board of Commissioners, strategically managing the various County departments and developing an annual budget.

Catawba County's Manager is Tom Lundy, who has served as manager for the past 24 years. The Board of Commissioners designates a County Manager as the chief administrator, under State law, for administering all departments under the Board's general control. These duties include supervising the appointment of county officers, employees or agents, except those elected by the people or whose appointment is otherwise provided by the law; supervision of all county departments, boards, commissions and agencies under the general control of the Board of Commissioners; the preparation and submission of an annual budget; and any other reports and duties required or authorized by the Board of Commissioners.

Mr. Lundy works with the Board of Commissioners, and has primary contact with the three Catawba County public school systems and Catawba Valley Community College; Catawba Valley Medical Center; the Catawba County Economic Development Corporation; and the Budget, Planning and Zoning, Personnel and Sheriff's Departments.

Assistant County Managers Lee Worsley and Dewey Harris assist the County Manager in the performance of his duties.

The County Clerk is Barbara Morris. The clerk is responsible for keeping the County's Minute and Ordinance Books as well as various other county records. The Clerk performs a wide variety of functions, all directly related to official actions of the Board of Commissioners.

Attorneys Debra Bechtel and Anne Marie Pease provide legal expertise to County Staff, with assistance from Legal Assistant Cari Burns, and the Board of Commissioners. Ms. Bechtel is also currently serving as County Attorney, serving as a legal advisor to the Board of Commissioners and performing a wide range of duties as requested by the Board. Ms. Pease serves as Deputy County Attorney.

Executive Assistant Avajean Wickes serves as Office Manager and provides administrative support to the County Manager's Staff.

Office Support Specialist Patricia Cruz provides clerical support to the entire staff by greeting visitors, typing, answering telephones, filing, copying, faxing, distributing mail and assisting with records management.

Budget Manager Judy Ikerd works with Budget Analysts Katrina Hawkins and Jennifer Mace to plan and create the County's annual budget. They work closely with County Commissioners, County Manager Lundy and Department Heads to create long-range financial plans and the annual budget.

Public Information Officer C. David Hardin is responsible for media relations for the County, the writing of news releases, and communication among County employees through a monthly newsletter, "The Catawba County Spirit".

Creighton Avila is currently working in the County Manager's Office through the International City-County Management Association's (ICMA) Local Government Management Fellow program. He will assist staff in development of a variety of new programs and work on existing projects as well.

Catawba County Government
Post Office Box 389
100 A South West Blvd.
Newton, NC 28658-0389
Phone: (828) 465-8201
FAX (828) 465-8392

COUNTY MANAGER'S STAFF PHONE DIRECTORY
COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE
J. Thomas Lundy	County Manager	(828) 465-8201
Lee Worsley	Assistant County Manager	(828) 465-8201
Dewey Harris	Assistant County Manager	(828) 465-8205
Avajean M. Wickes	Executive Assistant	(828) 465-8201
Patricia Cruz	Office Support Specialist	(828) 465-8203
Creighton Avila	ICMA Fellow	(828) 466-7201
COUNTY CLERK
Barbara Morris	County Clerk	(828) 465-8990
PUBLIC INFORMATION
Dave Hardin	Public Information Officer	(828) 465-8464
LEGAL STAFF
Debra Bechtel	Attorney	(828) 465-8319
Anne Marie Pease	Attorney	(828) 465-8206
Cari Burns	Legal Assistant	(828) 465-8483
BUDGET OFFICE
Judy Ikerd	Budget Manager	(828) 465-8208
Katrina Hawkins	Budget Analyst	(828) 465-8498
Jennifer Mace	Budget Analyst	(828) 465-8207