• By Todd Luck
• Posted Monday, July 22, 2024

Deputy County Manager Sanders-Pratt to retire

Deputy County Manager Damon Sanders-Pratt will retire at the end of July after 28 years of service to the county.

Sanders-Pratt joined Forsyth County Government as a Budget & Management analyst in 1996. He worked his way up over the years as a deputy clerk to the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, special assistant to the manager and assistant county manager. In 2009, he became a deputy county manager.

As deputy county manager, the departments he oversees include Parks and Recreation, Emergency Services, Cooperative Extension Service and the county’s Public Library system.

Sanders-Pratt led the construction efforts for many new facilities, including the current courthouse, Central Library and Kaleideum museum in downtown Winston-Salem. He also oversaw the construction of the current branch libraries in Kernersville and Clemmons, new parks in Tobaccoville and Belews Lake, improvements at the Public Safety Building and renovations of other facilities.

“Damon Sanders-Pratt has ably served the county for the past 28 years in a number of operations areas that culminated in his service as the deputy county manager’s role for the past 15 years,” said Martin. “While serving as vice chairman and chairman, I have had the pleasure of participating in several ground-breaking and dedication ceremonies. Damon has always provided me with draft remarks to use on these special occasions. He is a creative writer and always provided me not only with the necessary details of the project but added some humor and interesting background information related to the project. When talking to him about his retirement plans, I was pleased to learn that he has plans to research and write a book. I look forward to reading that but want to thank him for his significant service to Forsyth County and wish him well.”

County Commissioner Vice Chair Gloria Whisenhunt, who became a commissioner the same year Damon was hired by the county, described him as a successful and well-regarded deputy manager and says she will miss his sense of humor, his great smile and his devotion to Forsyth County.

County Manager Shontell Robinson describes Sanders-Pratt’s leadership style as “servant leadership.”

“He treats every person with civility, trust and respect and acts as a selfless mentor and always displays positivity and optimism even in the toughest situations and challenges,” she said.

Dudley Watts, the previous county manger, called Sanders-Pratt a “consummate public sector leader.”

“His professionalism and dedication to the job, layered with his amazing sense of humor and mischievousness, made every day an adventure,” said Watts.

Sanders-Pratt has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Washington & Lee University and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He's served in numerous groups and boards over the years including Forsyth County Smart Start, North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, North Carolina Local Government Budget Association, Forsyth Futures, YMCA, Novant Health Foundation, Twin City Youth Soccer Association, American Heart Association, Juvenile Crime Prevention Council and the Lions Club.

“It’s been a privilege to spend the vast majority of my career with Forsyth County Local Government,” said Sanders-Pratt. “Being provided opportunities to work with many dedicated and talented coworkers and others on projects important to where I live has been rewarding. Serving in the Budget & Management Department and later the Manager’s Office has been a great experience. Seeing policy considerations, decisions, commitment, and the sacrifices Commissioners make for their constituents and Forsyth County has been invaluable. I’m glad to have had a small part in Forsyth County’s continued evolution.”