Last Updated on January 12, 2026 11:47 am
BOONE – Keron Poteat, Director of Watauga County Parks and Recreation, is retiring after 32 years with the department. Her last day will be January 30, 2026.
Poteat first joined Watauga County Parks and Recreation as a part-time field supervisor. What started as a small step into the recreation world turned into an interim full-time position and ultimately into a career that shaped her life.
She began as a Recreation Specialist II, overseeing youth day camps, HCSG SilverArts, Special Olympics, holiday programming, and children's activities. Over the past six years, she served as Manager, Assistant Director, and for the past two years, Director.
“I was once asked what my dream job was, and I remember saying, ‘You know… I think I'm doing it,'” Poteat said. “That has been especially true with Special Olympics. This has brought me more joy than I ever could have imagined. The athletes, coaches, and families — they're my passion. My people.”
For anyone hoping to break into the recreation field, Poteat's advice is simple: get your foot in the door.
“Volunteer. Work part-time. Show us who you are,” she said. “That's how your résumé rises to the top when full-time opportunities open up — and it's exactly how my own journey began.”
Outside of work, Poteat has always loved staying active — volleyball, softball, pickleball, tennis, and golf.
“I plan to head into my golden years the same way: feet first and fully active,” she said.
Poteat will be leaving Boone — her home for 40 years — and moving to Floyd, Virginia with her husband Dean. They look forward to more time together, more time with their children Clint, Amanda, and Taylor, and adventures with their dogs, Hatfield and McCoy.
“This department, this community, and this work have been such a meaningful part of my life,” Poteat said. “I'm grateful for every season, every program, every challenge, and every person who has been part of this 32-year journey. It has truly been the honor of my career.”
