PITTSBORO — Chatham County Council on Aging’s executive director, Dennis Streets, will retire on Feb. 1, after nearly eight years of service with Chatham County government and decades of serving seniors in various capacities.
Streets joined the Chatham County Council on Aging in May 2014, following a long and distinguished career with the State of North Carolina. During his tenure in Chatham County, Streets played an instrumental role in advocating for and celebrating seniors and raising awareness of issues important to that population. Streets oversaw the development of the 2018-2023 Aging Plan, which maps out goals and objectives for the Council on Aging and the entire community. Under his leadership, both centers operated by the Chatham County Council on Aging earned the state designation as Centers of Excellence.
The Chatham County Board of Commissioners recognized Streets with a special resolution at its Jan. 18 meeting in Pittsboro.
“As Chatham County’s older population continues to grow, it is vital that we continue to address the needs of our seniors, and Dennis has been instrumental in his forward-thinking vision with the development of the Chatham County Aging Plan,” said Chatham County Board of Commissioners Chairperson Karen Howard. “Dennis has left a long-lasting mark on so many of us. He will be sorely missed not only for his accomplishments, but for the kind, generous and charming person that he is.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Streets and the Council on Aging staff and volunteers made adaptations to ensure that the needs of Chatham’s most vulnerable residents continue to be met.
“Under Dennis’s leadership, the Council’s vital work has kept older residents connected to health care, critical services like shelf-stable meals and social enrichment in a safe manner,” said Chatham County Manager Dan LaMontagne. “We are so grateful for Dennis’s leadership, passion and commitment to serving Chatham County’s seniors and their families. His impact on our entire community undoubtedly will last for many years.”
Streets says while he will miss the people and partners he has served alongside, he is also excited about the future of Chatham County.
“I will miss the friendships and personal interaction and the opportunity to make a positive difference in people’s lives every day — whether that is loaning an item of assistive equipment, serving a meal, providing information to a family caregiver, or engaging in conversation with someone who is anxious or feeling alone,” he said. “I look forward to continuing to hear about the outstanding work of our Council on Aging. I leave it in such capable hands — with an outstanding staff, a supportive and engaged board of directors, a dedicated volunteer corps, strong county support, and caring community partners.”
Streets says he will continue to serve on the boards of the N.C. Senior Games and Chatham Hospital. During retirement, he looks forward to spending more time with his family, becoming more competitive in the Chatham County Senior Games, and completing some special projects at home.
Council on Aging Deputy Director/Finance Officer Lacee Monte has been appointed as interim director. The Chatham County Council on Aging makes a difference in the lives of seniors. For more information, visit chathamcouncilonaging.org.