Sam Watts

Sam Watts has a diverse work experience spanning multiple industries. They started their career as an Assistant for Governmental Affairs at the NC Association of Long Term Care Facilities in 1990. They then worked as an Intern at Zebulon D. Alley, PA before becoming a Writer for the LRC Report and Study Commission Newsletter. In 1991, they served as a Teaching Assistant at the NCSU Social Science Research & Instructional Computing Laboratory and a Research Assistant at the NCSU Department of Political Science and Public Administration. From 1992 to 1993, they worked as a Graduate Research Assistant at the NCSU Office of University Planning and Analysis.

In 1993, Sam became the Research Director at NCFREE, where they managed and implemented a two-year study on the NC General Assembly. They also owned and operated their own consulting business, Strategic Analysis & Messaging, from 1999 to 2002, providing polling, research services, and political campaign consulting.

From 2001 to 2011, Sam worked as a Public Policy Analyst at the NC Center for Public Policy Research, conducting book-length public policy research analyses and contributing articles to the organization's journal. They then joined the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer, where they held various roles including Policy Development Analyst for the Retirement Systems Division and Legislative Liaison and Senior Public Policy Advisor for the Office of the Treasurer. As of December 2022, they are serving as the Interim Executive Director of the N.C. State Health Plan within the same department. Throughout their career, Sam has demonstrated expertise in public policy analysis, research, advocacy, and management.

Sam Watts received their high school education from Rocky Mount Senior High from 1982 to 1985. Sam then went on to attend North Carolina State University and obtained a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, graduating between 1985 and 1989. Following that, they pursued a Master's degree in Public Administration from North Carolina State University, completing their studies between 1990 and 1992.