FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Cumberland County Manager Amy Cannon announced that Cumberland County Director of Social Services Heather Skeens has been named the new Assistant County Manager for Community Support. Her first day in the position will be October 3.
Skeens has been Cumberland County’s DSS Director since December 6, 2021. Prior to that, she was the Health and Human Services Director in Guilford County. She previously worked for Cumberland County DSS for eight years, serving as Assistant Director of Children’s Services and the Deputy Director. Her 30-year career in Human Services also includes service in Onslow County and with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
As Cumberland County DSS Director, Skeens oversees the administration of one of the largest county social services departments in North Carolina with more than 700 employees and a fiduciary budget of more than $600 million. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology at Sweet Briar College in Virginia and her M.B.A. from University of Maryland, College Park.
“Heather has done an exceptional job during her time as Cumberland County’s Social Services Director, and in her previous position in Guilford County, she also supervised the functions of Public Health, Child Support, Veterans Services, Mental Health and Homelessness,” said Cannon. “Heather will be an asset to our team and her vast background in Human Services will be valuable in advancing several of the Board’s priorities. I am excited to bring her into the County Management team and know she will be of great benefit to our organization and to the citizens of Cumberland County.”