Randy Willis

SOIL & WATER: Randy Willis, Director
Years with the County: 21

Briefly describe your job. What do you do? 
I oversee the day-to-day operations of the Soil & Water Conservation office where we use County, State, Federal and grant funds to improve water quality by reducing pollution from agriculture.

What is a typical workday like for you?
Our office works mostly with farmers by providing technical assistance such as designing water control structures, developing waste management plans and developing livestock grazing plans to name a few. We are usually working on more than one project at a time which pulls us in many different directions. I tell people that our job is a hurry-up and wait environment, while we’re waiting on something with one project we are in a hurry-up mode with another one.

What is your favorite aspect of your job – what do you enjoy doing most? 
I enjoy helping people. I don’t look at the job we do as helping customers; I look at it as helping neighbors!

What is the County core value you believe most relates to the work you do, and why? 
Doing It Well. I strive to provide the same level of service to anyone that needs assistance as I would want if I were on the other side of the conversation.

What do you like best about working for Catawba County? 
Egos are left at the door. I don’t know if I have ever called an employee in another department to ask for help and gotten anything but a positive response (and yes even Legal!). We do what we do together! 

Where did you grow up? 
Bethlehem Community

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? 
Wood working and anything outside (even mowing).

Favorite movie, TV show, and/or book? 
Christmas Vacation and The Andy GriffIth Show

Favorite musical artist or genre? 
Outlaw Country and 80’s Hair Band Rock