"My biggest challenge is finding resources for all the projects that really matter," Sammons said. "Economic development is our focus."

About the time Sammons arrived, an economic assessment of Northwest North Carolina came out encouraging tourism and viticulture in the region. Surry took the advice and ran, planning a heritage music trail, drawing up a winery tour, and applying with other counties for tobacco money for promotion.

Surry became part of the new Yadkin Valley Viticulture Area, the Carolinas’ best and fastest growing region for vinifera grapes (as in chardonnays and cabernets). Elkin’s annual Yadkin Valley Wine Festival now draws over 10,000 visitors each May.

"Most of our wineries have outdoor concerts or special events to draw visitors. Some have started restaurants," Sammons said. One of these is Old North State Winery, a downtown Mt. Airy winery and restaurant owned by a cooperative of 38 family farmers.

The county, home to the old-time legend Tommy Jarrell and country music singer Donna Fargo, also offers an array of bluegrass and old-time music venues each week, capped by a live radio concert Saturday mornings at Mt. Airy’s Cinema Theatre. "The music is one of things I like best about Surry County, that and the hiking and cycling," Sammons said.

Sammons, who previously managed four counties in Virginia, says the Tar Heel State isn’t much different from its neighbor. "Fewer constitutional officers are elected, and I have more school systems to work with (Surry County, Elkin, and Mt. Airy), but a lot is the same," he said.

Besides juggling funds for building projects in three school districts, Sammons has been putting energy into water and sewer projects around Mt. Airy and along interchanges of I-77 and new I-74, areas poised for growth. He’s worked with Anderson & Associates on Surry’s WebGIS, and hears many compliments on its accessible tax parcel information. Working with five county commissioners whose experience totals 55 years is a treat, he says.

A graduate of the College of William & Mary and Virginia Tech’s graduate program in regional planning and public management, Sammons hails from Shawsville, Va. His daughter Kate attends Radford University.