09/24/17 — County names new DSS director

View Archive

County names new DSS director

By Steve Herring
Published in News on September 24, 2017 1:45 AM

Full Size

News-Argus/STEVE HERRING

Tammy Schrenker, of Stanly County, was introduced Tuesday as the new director of the Department of Social Services for Wayne County. At left is Interim Director Earl Marett

Tammy Schrenker, of Stanly County, was introduced Tuesday morning as the new director of the Department of Social Services for Wayne County.

She will fill the position currently held by Interim Director Earl Marett.

Wayne County Commissioner Ray Mayo, who is also chairman of the DSS board, introduced Schrenker during commissioners' Tuesday morning meeting.

Schrenker will begin her new duties Monday, Oct. 9.

Marett said he has known Schrenker for a long time.

"You are very fortunate to have her as your new director," he said. "You are going to enjoy working with her, and she is going to serve the citizens of Wayne County very well."

Schrenker has served as the director of DSS in Stanly County since 2014, and in Richmond County from 2006 until 2014.

A former president of the North Carolina Association of County Directors of Social Services, she was named Director of the Year for the association for 2017.

In addition, Schrenker is a certified Red Cross Shelter Manager and is Federal Emergency Management Agency certified in various categories related to emergencies.

Schrenker began her career in social work in 1989, when she became the director of the Rainbow House, a shelter for victims of domestic violence in Richmond County.

She taught community college courses for a year and then joined the Richmond County Department of Social Services in 1994 as a child protective services social worker.

Schrenker served as child protective services supervisor, social work program administrator and director while employed with the Richmond County Department of Social Services.

In 2014, she became director of the Stanly County Department of Social Services.

Schrenker is liaison for the N.C. Social Services Commission.

She has a bachelor's of art degree in psychology from St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg and master's degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Her husband, John, is a retired Marine, who now teaches fifth grade. They have six children and four grandchildren.

"I am honored to serve the citizens of Wayne County," Schrenker said. "I am looking forward to starting on Oct. 9."