Harnett County proudly recognized 18 employees on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, for successfully completing the inaugural Harnett Management Academy — a transformative, nine-month leadership development program designed to cultivate the next generation of County leaders.

The cohort academy, launched in August 2024, was led by the County’s Human Resources and Risk Management Department. The program offers an in-depth curriculum focused on strengthening the leadership and management skills of current and aspiring supervisors and managers. Through monthly sessions with an experienced leadership coach, participants engaged in comprehensive training covering a wide range of topics, including the qualities of effective leaders, conflict resolution, leadership styles, and communication skills.

“This program will contribute to the professional growth of our staff and the overall success of Harnett County,” said Janice Lane, Human Resources and Risk Management Director. “By nurturing our employees and equipping them with the skills and knowledge to grow professionally, we are building a stronger organization to better serve our community.”

The graduates included Angela McLamb, Bryan Matthews, Chance Torain, Elizabeth Edwards, Greg Jackson, James Rambeau, Jamie Turlington, Johnny Stone, Josh Christensen, Kenneth Snipes, Kimberly VanBeck, Kristen Arnott, Larry Smith, Jr., Marvin Tawney, Sara Tyree, Sharon Booker, Tim Adamaszek, and Victoria Hall.

Arnott has been with Harnett County for 19 years and serves as a supervisor in the Department of Social Services’ Child Protective Services unit. She expressed there was a lot of self-reflection.

“I will implement many new skills into my daily practice because I want to do better for my team, so they can be better,” said Arnott.

Snipes has been with Harnett County for 12 years and is the Director of the Facilities Department. He shared that the program was an empowering journey that left him more confident and better prepared to lead.

"Taking part in the Management Academy was a rewarding experience that pushed me to grow both professionally and personally. It provided practical tools and real-world scenarios that strengthened leadership skills and gave me new insights into effective team management,” said Snipes.

Hall has been with Harnett County for over four years and serves as the Administrator for Emergency Services. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity and highly recommends the program to fellow employees.

“I enjoyed getting to work with people from other departments who I might not have otherwise met. Getting together with people who have such different experiences and work environments provided me valuable insights to use in my own department,” said Hall.

The Harnett Management Academy will continue as an ongoing initiative, reflecting the County’s commitment to employee development, organizational excellence, and leadership sustainability. As Harnett County grows and evolves, programs like this ensures employees are prepared to take on new challenges, drive innovation, and lead with confidence.

Harnett County is one of the fastest growing counties in North Carolina with approximately 142,000 residents. Harnett's tagline of "Strong Roots, New Growth," describes a county in transition, one that values its rural agricultural heritage while also embracing new growth and industry. Harnett County is optimally located just between North Carolina's capital city of Raleigh and the internationally recognized Research Triangle Park to the north, and the nation's largest military installation in Fort Bragg to the south.