With a positive, can-do attitude, Regenia Herring is ready to use her 20-plus years of experience in her new role as Buncombe County’s Justice Services Director.
Regenia will be joining Buncombe County with the goal of becoming a value-added member of the leadership team.
“I hope to bring continuity to the Justice Services Department where staff, community partners, and clients feel they are valued, respected, and heard,” she says.
Regenia comes to the region from Florida, where she served as the Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Commission at Palm Beach County.
She says she entered the criminal justice field because she always wanted to work in providing service, help, and advocacy to people who were often disenfranchised by the very systems designed to help them. This, coupled with the belief that public service is vital in improving communities and the lives of individuals, set her off on a 20-year career path.
First, she entered the field as a law enforcement officer and went on to garner more experience including the roles of senior deputy court administrator, probation officer, housing specialist, community organizer, and executive leader managing systems reform initiatives.
“This work has placed me in many spaces and has taught me valuable lessons around the importance of collaboration, communication, leveraging resources, and thinking outside the box,” Regenia says. “I have worked with some amazing and gifted individuals to build alliances and collaborate on various projects for county, municipal, and community success.”
She says one goal in her new role will be to advance the work Buncombe County has embarked on to reform its criminal justice system by using her skills in moving projects from concepts to reality.
While Regenia will be new to the Asheville area, she notes she is not a stranger to the South, pointing to her accent, southern charm, and tell-it-like-it-is personality.
“I love spending time with family and friends. I love music (gospel and R&B), dancing, laughing, reading, and watching movies in the comforts of my home,” she says.
One thing Regenia likes about her field of work is that impactful changes can be made through collaboration.
“I love when a plan comes together from the collective voices of our different community residents, system partners, and business leadership,” she says.
Buncombe County looks forward to welcoming Regenia on her first day on Sept. 23.