Beaufort County is pleased to announce that Nicole Wood has been appointed as Deputy County Administrator (DCA), effective December 01, 2025. Beaufort County Administrator Michael Moore expressed his enthusiasm for her arrival, stating, “We are eager to welcome Mrs. Wood to Beaufort County as our next DCA. Her vast experience and proven track record will make her an asset to the Beaufort County team.”

Nicole currently serves as an Assistant County Administrator with Greenville County, SC, where she manages a diverse portfolio of departments including human resources, information technology, emergency management, emergency medical services and more. In her role with Greenville County, Nicole assisted in the development and presentation of the $950 million biennium budget, oversaw the day-to-day operations of the University Ridge Redevelopment project, and crafted strategic County Council initiatives including Greenville County’s Affordable Housing Policy and the Historic and Natural Resources Trust, in addition to a Citizens Academy for residents and an internship program that partners with the local school district and chamber of commerce. Nicole holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Clemson University and the University of South Carolina.

“I am looking forward to taking on this exciting and dynamic role,” said Ms. Wood. “It will be an honor to contribute to the mission of Beaufort County. Through collaboration with our team, County Council, and the community, I will continue to focus on expanding and improving our services to meet the needs of residents in this incredible place.”   

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Nicole enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her husband, Mark, and triplet daughters who just graduated from the University of Tennessee (two) and the University of Kentucky, as well as three dogs. Besides her family, she enjoys traveling, running, spending time with her friends and being at the beach or on the water. Originally from Akron, Ohio, Nicole fell in love with South Carolina when she attended Furman University and saw the beauty of both the Upstate and Lowcountry.  Beaufort County has been a vacation spot for decades, and now she is excited to call it home.

In filling this role, Beaufort County employed Find Great People for the executive search and considered more than 70 applicants. Wood has a strong record as an accomplished leader in the public sector with more than 25 years of experience in governmental administration, nonprofit management and community engagement. Please join us in warmly welcoming Nicole Wood to Beaufort County — we look forward to her contributions to the continued success of our region.