News

County hires DSS director from Eastern N.C.

By Bill Moss, Published: August 13, 2013

F. Eric Bush, the director of Social Services in Duplin County since 2010, has been named director of the Henderson County Department of Social Services.

"The board is delighted Mr. Bush is joining us," said DSS board chairman Gary Cyphers. "He is a dedicated social services professional who has extensive experience in providing services to children and families. With his broad social services knowledge and expertise, Eric will build on the legacy of Liston Smith, who led the Department for 25 years. He is just right for Henderson County."
Bush's entire career has been in local social services, starting in 1982 as a caseworker for the Marion County, Ohio, Children Services. After six years he advanced to supervisor in child protective services. He then was promoted to Director of Operations/Assistant Director for fourteen years prior to becoming the agency executive director, a post he held for eight years before moving to North Carolina.
Bush has a strong history of community involvement. In Duplin County, he served as president of the Habitat for Humanity board and as treasurer of the El Centro Latino de Duplin board. He also was a member of the board of Partnership for Children and served on the Child Fatality Prevention Team. At the DSS there he is responsible for 110 employees and a $10 million annual budget
Bush holds a masters of Social Work and masters of Public Administration from Ohio State University.
He is looking forward to living near the Western Carolina mountains, Bush told the board, because he and his wife, Roxanne, are kayakers and hikers. The Bushes have adult children and a golden retriever.
His first day of work will be Sept. 16.