Free Daily Headlines

News

Set your text size: A A A

Laughter chosen for two state panels

Jaime Laughter

Jaime Laughter, Transylvania County's new manager, has been selected as a featured panelist at the North Carolina City and County Management Association (NCCCMA) Winter Seminar Feb. 4-6, in Durham.


Laughter has also been selected for an alumni panel at North Carolina State University's School of Public and International Affairs on March 20. Laughter earned her bachelor's degree from NCSU in 2002 and went on to earn her masters in public administration from there as well.
"It's very much an honor to be selected for both these panels," said Laughter. "Any time you have an opportunity to share your own personal experience with up-and-coming professionals, students and peers is a good thing."
The NCCCMA is the professional association for city and county managers from counties and municipalities throughout North Carolina. Its primary aim is to improve the quality of local government.
Laughter will participate in a workshop session entitled, "The First Few Years," which is geared toward early managers and students seeking to earn a Masters Degree in Public Administration.
Brandon Holland, town manager of Ayden, developed the NCCCMA workshop in which Laughter will be participating.
"Jaime is one of the rising stars in county management," Holland said. "I think the students will really identify with her story."
Holland is a member of the NCCCMA program committee tasked with reaching out to students enrolled in Masters of Public Administration programs across the state. Many state universities send their students to the conference.
"Jaime was chosen because she's one of the newest county managers in the state and her story needs to be told," said Holland. "We thought it would be great for our young people to hear about her journey."
Laughter has been a member of the NCCCMA since she was selected as the town manager for Mills River in 2006. The Transylvania County Board of Commissioners hired Laughter in August of 2014 to replace retiring county manager Artie Wilson.
"I've benefited so much from my association with the NCCCMA," said Laughter, "and it's nice to be able to give something back."
The NCCCMA holds two conferences annually, and Laughter always circles the winter conference on her calendar.
"It's a great way to exchange information," said Laughter. "The more we are open to sharing how we operate as a county and all the good things we're doing, the more we open the door for others to share with us. "
"There's always a better way," continued Laughter, "and rather than focusing only on how we currently do things, I'm always trying to think about how we can work smarter and improve the services we provide our citizens. And one great way to do that is to learn from others."
Laughter's decision to participate in the two panels is both professional and personal.
"I would really like to see more women become interested in city and county management and administration," said Laughter. "It's a fascinating field and I believe our communities would benefit from the expertise women have to offer."
Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, only 14 percent of them are managed by females, a percentage that hasn't increased in several years.
"I would love to see more balance in my career field," said Laughter. "It would be an honor to mentor the next generation of great county managers and public servants."
Laughter also noted the potential benefit for Transylvania County: "Both panels give me a wonderful opportunity to meet exceptional students and young professionals who could ultimately relocate here to play an important role serving the citizens of Transylvania County."