Caldwell County Deputy County Manager Jimmy Harrison recently received the Assistant County Manager of the Year Award from the North Carolina City & County Management Association (NCACC).
Harrison, who began his career with the county as a sheriff’s deputy in 1996, is known for genuinely caring for staff. When he knows an employee is struggling with a personal or professional issue, Harrison stops, looks the employee in the eye, and asks “how are you really doing?” If the employee wants to talk, he listens. He makes employee well-being a priority across the organization.
Because of work through DARE and as a School Resource Officer, Harrison is well-known throughout the county and around the state. It is not uncommon for someone to approach him and say, “I know you. You were my SRO.” The concern and compassion Harrison exudes made an impact on the lives of many students and that is why they remember him.
Professionally, no task is too big or too small for Harrison. Throughout his career, he has constantly been willing to help with any project. Since being named Human Resources Director and then Deputy County Manager, he continues to demonstrate a willingness to work with staff to get jobs completed. Depending on the need, Harrison can be found clearing trees from roadways, mopping floors, or cleaning up after an event. In 2023, he volunteered to serve as interim Facilities Services Director where he took a hands-on approach. Harrison and his team cleaned and organized the warehouse, and he filled in at a convenience site, while he rebuilt the department. The reorganized department now employs staff with experience in HVAC, electrical, and other trades.
Harrison developed a new personnel policy and successfully implemented the county’s first salary study in 15 years. He also transitioned the county through health plans, saving the county more than $2 million annually.
“Jimmy can best be described as a versatile servant leader who understands no role is too big or too small for him to tackle,” said Caldwell County Manager Donald Duncan. “He serves county employees by making a commitment to get jobs done well. Most important, Jimmy cares for Caldwell County employees and the people the county serves. He does his job with compassion and pride.”
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