WS Chronicle

Shannon Hutchins has been promoted to human resources director for Forsyth County Government. Hutchins previously served as senior human resources consultant and assumed her new position on March 21. She emerged as the top candidate after the county conducted a nationwide search. As human resources director, she’ll oversee personnel issues for the more than 2,300 employees who work for the county. 

Hutchins is a graduate from High Point University with a bachelor’s in business management. She began her career with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office in 2000. She worked in various positions throughout the Sheriff’s Administration and the Detention Bureau, where she largely handled employee medical and other employee-related matters. She became a human resources technician for the Sheriff’s Office in 2011 and the Sheriff’s senior human resources consultant in 2012. She transferred to County Human Resources as a senior human resources consultant in 2017.

Hutchins said Forsyth County government has been a great place to work because it shares her values of integrity, respect and striving for excellence. 

“I am excited and honored to take on the role of human resources director,” she said. “As a long-term employee of Forsyth County government, I can say that I have had the opportunity to work for and work with amazing and talented individuals who care deeply about this community and the citizens we serve. I look forward to continuing to serve our employees and the citizens of Forsyth County.”  

She succeeds Shontell Robinson who became human resources director in 2014 and was promoted to assistant county manager in January 2020. Robinson led a staff of HR professionals who’ve implemented an overhaul of the classification system, expansions of employee benefits and other improvements. 

“Shannon is a true example of an employee who has exceeded performance expectations throughout her entire career due to her hard work and dedication to Forsyth County government,” said Robinson. “This is a well-deserved and earned promotion. I have full confidence in her knowledge, skills and abilities to lead the HR department and look forward to working with her in this new capacity.” 

County Manager Dudley Watts stated that the department is in great hands under the leadership of Ms. Hutchins as she continues to serve the citizens of this county.