The Mid-Carolina Regional Council Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Samantha Wullenwaber as its new executive director, effective June 1, 2025. Wullenwaber succeeds Justin Hembree, bringing a wealth of experience in

local government and regional planning to the role.

Wullenwaber has been an integral part of Mid- Carolina Regional Council since 2021 serving as the local government services director and then as the deputy executive director. In this capacity, she has assisted member governments in Cumberland, Harnett, and Sampson counties, providing support in areas such as planning and zoning, administration, finance, grant management and project management.

Her career in public service over the past seventeen years includes roles as Planning & Inspections director for the City of Dunn, executive director of the Dunn Community Development Corporation, planning director for the Town of Clayton, and interim town manager for the Town of Spring Lake. 

Wullenwaber holds a bachelor's degree from East Carolina University and a

Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She is also a certified planner through the American Planning Association (AICP) and a Certified Zoning Official (CZO).

In addition to her professional roles, Wullenwaber serves on the Board of Directors for the Fort Bragg Regional Land Use Advisory Commission (RLUAC), contributing to regional land use planning and coordination. Wullenwaber will also serve as the workforce development director overseeing workforce programs in Cumberland, Harnett, Moore, Montgomery and Sampson counties.

"I am honored and excited to lead Mid-Carolina Regional Council and continue our mission of supporting local governments and fostering regional collaboration," said Wullenwaber in a press release. "We have an exceptional team of employees that I am thrilled to work with every day to continue to grow our organization and provide services to our region and beyond. I look forward to building upon our strong foundation and working with our partners to address the challenges and opportunities facing our communities."

Town of Stedman Mayor and Mid-Carolina Board of Directors Chair, Martin Jones, shared his thoughts on Samantha’s new appointment in a press release stating: 

"I’ve had the opportunity to work with Samantha for several years, and she has consistently demonstrated strong support for Mid-Carolina Regional Council in her previous roles. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with her in her new role; she’s a great fit for MCRC."

Wullenwaber will oversee a staff of thirty full and part-time employees with an annual operating budget of over $16 million.

The Mid-Carolina Regional Council is a voluntary coalition of local governments serving

Cumberland, Harnett, and Sampson counties, as well as 24 member municipalities. The Council provides a range of services, including local government technical assistance, workforce development and support for aging populations, to promote regional development and cooperation.