Brunswick County schools hires new human resources director

Brunswick County Schools’ new executive director of human resources was on his way to the North Carolina coast before he was hired.

Photo contributed

Pasier

And part of his job once he get here will be enticing new teachers to come to the coast, too.

Mark Pasier, currently director of human resources for Montgomery County Public Schools in Virginia, was selected by Superintendent Edward Pruden’s search committee. The hire was announced during a special-called meeting of the board of education on Dec. 18.

“My wife Jeanette and I were interested in a new opportunity,” Pasier (pronounced pay-sure) said. “We look at Brunswick County as a reason to relocate. I’m fortunate the position became available, but we were coming regardless.”

Pasier has worked in education for 27 years, with more than 15 years experience in public school human resources administration. He has served as a captain in the United States Army, a public school teacher, assistant principal and principal.

“They looked at my experience in human resources and public schools. I am an educator. I’ll always consider myself a teacher,” Pasier said.

Pasier will join Brunswick County Schools in late January.

He said his first duties would be to listen to the superintendent’s needs, learn about the local culture of conducting business and then start making contributions to meet students’ needs.

He added one of Pruden’s goals for the new HR director is to attract and retain more high-quality staff.

Pasier said they could achieve that through guiding current employees through professional development and targeting candidates at colleges and universities.

“In the past I’ve made contacts with a large number of universities, with career placement (staff) or professors, to establish relationships with juniors and first-semester seniors to make them aware of the opportunities,” Pasier said.

He has also used virtual and in-person presentations to classes about entering the public education field.

Pasier intends to use connections he developed in Virginia, as well as focus new efforts on North Carolina colleges, to bring in new educators.

“I want to maintain relationships with professors to get the top 5 to 10 percent of the class, the best students, to Brunswick County,” he said.

Pasier fills a position that opened in November when Deanne Meadows was promoted to assistant superintendent and chief academic officer. 

The school system advertised nationally for the position and six candidates were interviewed, Jessica Swencki, schools spokesperson said.

“Once again, Brunswick County Schools has attracted a strong applicant pool and has identified an outstanding, experienced HR professional to fill the position of executive director of human resources. We eagerly await the arrival of Mark Pasier,” Pruden said.

The position includes a salary of $105,656.

Brian Slattery is a staff writer for The Brunswick Beacon. Reach him at 754-6890 or bslattery@brunswickbeacon.com.