Wake County Executive and Leadership Team

Heidi Baird, the Chief Executive Officer at Wake County, directs the overarching strategic vision for all public service departments. Baird manages the implementation of policies established by the Board of Commissioners to ensure efficient tax collection and health service delivery. By aligning departmental goals with the broader mission of the county, the Chief Executive Officer optimizes resource allocation across diverse sectors. Heidi Baird maintains constant communication with the Board to address emerging community needs and long-term planning requirements. This leadership role involves overseeing the integration of complex government services to improve resident outcomes. Through rigorous oversight of administrative functions, the Chief Executive Officer drives operational excellence across the entire organization. Baird fosters a culture of accountability and transparency, ensuring that every public initiative meets the high standards expected by the community. Ultimately, the Chief Executive Officer secures the stability and growth of the county infrastructure.

W. Flanary, the Chief Financial Officer at Wake County, oversees the fiscal health and budgetary integrity of all government operations. Flanary manages tax collection systems and allocates funding to critical areas such as health and human services. By architecting robust financial models, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that the county maintains a balanced budget while funding essential infrastructure projects. W. Flanary provides the Board of Commissioners with detailed fiscal analysis to support informed decision-making regarding public investments. This leadership role involves rigorous auditing and compliance monitoring to protect taxpayer resources. Through the implementation of advanced financial reporting tools, the Chief Financial Officer increases transparency across all departments. Flanary drives long-term economic stability by forecasting revenue trends and managing debt obligations effectively. By maintaining strict fiscal discipline, the Chief Financial Officer supports the sustainable delivery of public services throughout the entire region.

Donald Garner, the Chief Operating Officer at Wake County, manages the daily execution of essential government services including library operations and local parks administration. Garner coordinates cross-departmental workflows to streamline planning and permitting processes for regional development. By monitoring operational metrics, the Chief Operating Officer identifies bottlenecks and implements solutions to enhance service delivery speed. Donald Garner collaborates with department heads to ensure that public facilities remain accessible and well-maintained for all residents. This leadership role requires balancing immediate service demands with the long-term maintenance of county assets. Through the optimization of internal processes, the Chief Operating Officer improves the efficiency of public-facing programs. Garner maintains a focus on operational scalability to support the rapid growth of the region. By refining service protocols, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that every department functions in alignment with the strategic objectives set by the executive leadership team.

Ben Canada, the Chief of Staff at Wake County, coordinates the administrative functions of the executive office to ensure seamless communication between departments. Canada manages the flow of information to the Board of Commissioners and facilitates the execution of high-priority policy initiatives. By streamlining internal processes, the Chief of Staff enables the executive team to focus on strategic goals rather than daily administrative hurdles. Ben Canada acts as a primary liaison for inter-departmental projects, ensuring that health, planning, and law enforcement teams remain aligned. This leadership role involves managing complex schedules and preparing critical briefings for executive decision-making. Through the facilitation of collaborative efforts, the Chief of Staff improves the overall responsiveness of the county government. Canada drives organizational cohesion by resolving conflicts and clarifying operational priorities. By maintaining a high level of administrative rigor, the Chief of Staff supports the successful implementation of the county mission.

Sean Womack, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Wake County, directs the talent acquisition and workforce development strategies for the entire government entity. Womack manages the recruitment of skilled professionals to staff critical departments like law enforcement and health services. By designing comprehensive training programs, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the workforce remains capable of meeting evolving public service demands. Sean Womack oversees employee relations and performance management systems to maintain high levels of staff engagement and productivity. This leadership role involves developing policies that promote workplace safety and professional growth across all county offices. Through the implementation of modern HR technologies, the Chief Human Resources Officer improves the efficiency of payroll and benefits administration. Womack drives organizational culture by fostering an environment of inclusivity and service-oriented excellence. By optimizing human capital, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the county possesses the talent necessary to serve the community effectively.

Sandra Oliver, the Deputy Chief Information Officer at Wake County, manages the digital infrastructure and software systems supporting tax collection and public records. Oliver focuses on the modernization of internal databases to improve data accessibility for county employees. By architecting secure network solutions, the Deputy Chief Information Officer protects sensitive resident information from cyber threats. Sandra Oliver collaborates with the IT leadership team to implement cloud-based tools that enhance the efficiency of planning and permitting departments. This leadership role involves overseeing the maintenance of hardware and software assets across all regional facilities. Through the deployment of innovative technology, the Deputy Chief Information Officer streamlines digital service delivery for the public. Oliver drives the digital transformation of government processes to reduce manual workloads. By ensuring the reliability of critical IT systems, the Deputy Chief Information Officer supports the continuous operation of essential county services.

Michael Bass, the Deputy Chief Information Officer at Wake County, directs the implementation of enterprise-wide communication platforms and public-facing digital portals. Bass manages the integration of new software applications that facilitate easier access to library services and park reservations. By optimizing the technical architecture of the county website, the Deputy Chief Information Officer improves the user experience for all residents. Michael Bass works closely with department heads to identify technological gaps and deploy custom solutions that increase operational productivity. This leadership role involves managing vendor relationships and overseeing the lifecycle of critical IT projects. Through the application of data analytics, the Deputy Chief Information Officer provides insights that help departments improve service delivery. Bass drives the adoption of mobile-friendly tools to ensure that government services remain accessible to the entire population. By maintaining robust technical standards, the Deputy Chief Information Officer ensures the long-term viability of the county digital ecosystem.

Alan Bumgardner, the Chief of Staff & Sheriff at Wake County, directs law enforcement operations and coordinates security strategies across the region. Bumgardner manages the deployment of personnel to ensure public safety and the enforcement of local ordinances. By integrating law enforcement activities with broader county administrative goals, the Chief of Staff & Sheriff maintains a safe environment for all residents. Alan Bumgardner oversees the training and equipment procurement for the sheriff department to ensure readiness for any emergency. This leadership role involves collaborating with other county executives to address public health and safety concerns through proactive community engagement. Through the implementation of modern policing strategies, the Chief of Staff & Sheriff improves response times and crime prevention efforts. Bumgardner drives the professional development of the force to maintain high standards of conduct. By providing strong leadership in the public safety sector, the Chief of Staff & Sheriff protects the well-being of the community.

Dara Demi, the Chief Communications Officer at Wake County, manages all public relations and outreach initiatives to keep residents informed about government services. Demi directs the development of messaging strategies for tax updates, park events, and health service announcements. By utilizing various media channels, the Chief Communications Officer ensures that information reaches all segments of the population effectively. Dara Demi coordinates with department heads to create consistent branding and clear communication protocols for the entire county. This leadership role involves managing crisis communications and responding to public inquiries with transparency and accuracy. Through the implementation of digital engagement tools, the Chief Communications Officer increases public participation in local government processes. Demi drives the reputation management of the county by highlighting successful community programs. By maintaining open lines of communication, the Chief Communications Officer fosters trust between the government and the residents it serves.