Tim Burgess began serving as an assistant county manager for New Hanover County in July 2012.  Tim’s position includes management oversight of Cape Fear Museum, Cooperative Extension/Arboretum, Emergency Management/911, Engineering, Environmental Management, Fire Rescue, Public Library, Parks and Gardens, Planning and Inspections, and Soil and Water Conservation.

Prior to coming to New Hanover County, Tim served as the assistant county manager for Alamance County and town manager for the Town of Wendell.  Tim also practiced criminal and family law in Montgomery, Alabama.

Tim earned his Juris Doctor from Faulkner University and his Bachelor and Master degrees in Business Administration from Campbell University. Tim resides in Wilmington with his wife Joy and daughter.

Prior to being selected to lead the county’s health and human services departments as an Assistant County Manager in July 2019, Kathy Stoute served as the director of New Hanover County’s Community Justice Services for seven years. She has 30 years of experience in the military, educational, and mental health fields. 

As the assistant county manager, Stoute serves as the consolidated agency director for Public Health and Social Services and oversees the county’s Senior Resource Center, Community Justice Services, and Veteran Services. She also serves as a liaison with the court system and Trillium, both of which receive funding from the county; and will help lead the county’s efforts to construct the Healing Place of New Hanover County, a 200-bed treatment center for men and women suffering from substance use disorder. 

Stoute is a 2012 recipient of the UNCW Watson College of Education Razor Walker Award for her work with children and families across the community. She has worked with the county for 12 years and has a successful history of building and developing an organizational culture that embodies the New Hanover County model of good governance with superior customer service for its citizens. Stoute received her Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology from East Carolina University and is a United States Marine Corps veteran. 

Beth Schrader, Chief Strategy and Budget Officer, joined New Hanover County in 2007. In her current role, she has responsibility for policy development, strategy formulation and execution, and the administration and preparation of a more than $300 million budget.  Beth ensures the county’s allocation of dollars and policy formation are aligned with the county’s strategies.  She previously served as strategy and policy manager and senior budget analyst.

Prior to joining New Hanover County, Beth spent nine years in research and development with Procter and Gamble in the United States, Japan, and China developing innovative products and markets.  She also spent three years at Lehman Brothers. During her years with New Hanover County, Beth has worked on a number of initiatives including the consolidation of county and volunteer fire services, expansion of water and sewer services along U.S. Highway 421, and the development of the county’s strategy map. Beth also holds eight U.S. patents.

Beth has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration in Finance from Cornell University. She is a member of several honor societies, including Tau Beta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi, and the National Merit Honor Society.  In her free time, Beth enjoys anything related to the arts and outdoor activities, including fly fishing and hiking.