Geraldine Thompson Robinson of Nashville, Tennessee has been named Durham County Social Services Director by the Board of Social Services.   Board Chairman Gladys Dunston made the announcement earlier this evening following a joint meeting between the Durham Board of County Commissioners and the Social Services Board. Ms. Robinson succeeds Sammy Haithcock who retired on June 30.

In making the appointment, Board Chairman Dunston said, “The DSS Board is pleased to have Ms. Robinson join the Department of Social Services and provide leadership for our highly esteemed, award winning agency.  We seek the support of the broader Durham community as we welcome Ms. Robinson to build on the outstanding services provided to our citizens in need.” 

Ms. Robinson brings 27 years of experience as a social services professional. She joins Durham County from Davidson County, Tennessee where she served as Department of Social Services Director for Metro Nashville/Davidson County.  She led that agency to achieve accreditation by the Council on Accreditation, which is the international accrediting agency for public and        private providers of human services.

She has held various human services positions including a stint with the Maryland Department of Human Resources as a social services administrator and as deputy director with the Baltimore City Department of Social Services.

Ms. Robinson holds a B. A. Degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland at Baltimore.

Ms. Robinson will assume her new duties as director on September 14.  The Board of County Commissioners approved an annual salary of $129,000.