Kenneth Roper
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Kenneth Roper | |
|---|---|
| Pickens County Administrator | |
| Assumed office July, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Gerald Wilson |
| County Attorney of Pickens County | |
| In office 2004–2019 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kenneth Scott Roper |
| Spouse(s) | Karen Sanchez Roper |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Furman College (BA) University of South Carolina (JD) |
| Occupation |
|
| Website | Official website |
| Add a Photo | |
Kenneth Roper is an American attorney and politician. He is the current County Administrator for Pickens County, South Carolina. Roper was Pickens County Attorney from 2004 to 2016. He served as municipal attorney for Six Mile, Norris, and Liberty. Roper was also a municipal judge for two terms in Liberty and one term in Norris. He has the distinction of presiding over the only jury trial ever held in Norris.[1]. Roper served seven years as an assistant solicitor in the criminal courts of his home state.[2]
Roper was born and raised in Pickens County. He lives in Sunset with his wife, Judge Karen Sanchez Roper. Mrs. Sanchez Roper serves as the resident family court judge for Pickens County.[1]. She practiced law with her husband for over 15 years at the Roper Law Firm.[3]
Education
Roper attended Forest Acres Elementary School[4] and is a graduate of Liberty High School (1987). He attended Furman University, graduating with a B.A. in Political science in 1991. He earned a J.D. from the University of South Carolina in 1994.[2]
Law Career
Roper is a member of the South Carolina Bar. He has served on the State Bar’s Pro Bono Committee and the Ethics Advisory Committee. An avid speaker, Roper has lectured on many topics. For example, he has held discourse on the South Carolina Home Rule Act. He has also spoken on Civility in the Practice of Law and Professionalism.[2]
Political Career
Roper started his political career as County Attorney in 2004. He became Acting County Administrator in 2019 after his predecessor, Gerald Wilson, retired.[5] The County Council later removed the “acting” tag from his title. Roper then became the Permanent Administrator. He spent another three years under an annual contract that rolled over. Then, in February 2023, the Pickens County Council voted 5-1 to extend his contract. According to Roper,
I am very appreciative and heartened that county council voted to extend my contract through December of 2026. The last three and a half years as Pickens County administrator were my career’s most challenging and rewarding work. Working alongside my team of passionate public servants and with an engaged county council supporting us, I am committed to overcoming local challenges as we collectively nurture this wonderful and resilient community.
Councilman Alex Saitta was the only council member to vote “nay.” He said he thinks Roper is doing a good job but opposed the large pay raises built into the new contract. As a result, he voted no. Councilwoman Claiborne Linville defended the pay raise. She said it brings Roper’s salary further in line with other counties. It also shows how much the council values the good work Roper has been doing. “Pickens County is lucky to have Mr. Roper as our administrator,” says Linville.[6]
Duties as Administrator
Roper is the Chief administrative officer of the county government. He has to carry out the County Council’s vision. He does so by following their policies, commands, and legislative actions. Roper is also in charge of running the county government on a day-to-day basis. Further, he has to direct and work with the county government’s operational agencies.[6] He also has to manage its administrative activities. Roper oversees several divisions of the county government. The only exceptions are special districts and any departments run by elected officials.[2]. Roper prepares annual operating and capital improvement budgets to submit to the council. Thus, he receives reports, statistics, and estimates from all county agencies and departments. He also manages the county’s spending.
Other Affiliations
Roper is a 2021-22 Appalachian Leadership Institute Fellow.[2] He was one of 40 fellows to complete the class, with delegates from Appalachia’s 13 states. Each fellow took part in an extensive, nine-month series of skill-building seminars. The seminars use case study analysis with regional experts and peer-to-peer learning.[7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Ken Roper Biographical Information" (PDF). Collins and Lacy. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "County Administrator". Welcome to Pickens County. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
- ↑ "Judge Karen S. Roper". South Carolina Judicial Branch. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
- ↑ "Roper Ready to Take On New Role". Pickens County Courier. July 16, 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
- ↑ Ellis, Mike (June 27, 2019). "Pickens County Administrator Gerald Wilson Stepping Down". Greenville News. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Roper Gets Extension, Big Raise". Pickens County Courier. February 14, 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
- ↑ Bohannon, Janiene (September 28, 2021). "ARC Announces Appalachian Leadership Institute Fellows for 2021-2022". Appalachian Regional Commission. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
External links
This article "Kenneth Roper" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. Articles taken from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be accessed on Wikipedia's Draft Namespace.