Cabarrus welcomes new Veterans Services director
Published on January 22, 2026
New Veterans Services Director Jarius “Chad” Gurley has a deep commitment to service, a lifetime of leadership and a clear vision for how veterans and their families can be supported.
Gurley has more than two decades of combined service with the U.S. Army and local government leadership.
His new role here in Cabarrus is both a homecoming and a capstone.
“Veterans Services is familiar territory for me and it’s where my heart is,” Gurley says.
Gurley replaces longtime director Tony Miller, who recently retired.
“Chad brings innovative ideas, experienced advocacy and a collaborative spirit to the role,” says Assistant County Manage Aalece Pugh. “His focus on outreach and responsiveness will not only improve individual lives but also strengthen the social fabric of Cabarrus. We look forward to the continued growth that his leadership will bring to our veterans programs and the community.”
Gurley’s path to Cabarrus is shaped by service at every level. A Charlotte native and 2006 graduate of Harding High School, he entered the U.S. Army immediately after graduation through the Delayed Entry Program.
He trained at Fort Jackson and Fort Leonard Wood, serving as a truck driver and mechanic. He spent 14 months in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His military career also included time as a combat instructor and drill sergeant. He finished his service in the Army Reserve.
That foundation of leadership carried seamlessly into local government. Gurley has served communities across North Carolina as a police officer, child support agent, state veterans service officer and county veterans services director. Most recently, he served as a deputy director of human services.
Along the way, he led teams large and small, which sharpened his ability to balance compassion with accountability.
Now, as Cabarrus County Veterans Services director, Gurley is focused on three immediate priorities: building a fully trained and accredited staff, increasing public awareness of available services and ensuring the department operates with efficiency, transparency and fiscal responsibility.
“I want residents to understand that when we spend County dollars, they’re being used wisely and in service of real people,” Gurley says. “Quality service and good stewardship go hand in hand.”
At the heart of his vision is what Gurley calls a “no wrong door” approach, ensuring that veterans and their families can access help, even if his department isn’t the final stop.
“If we can’t help directly, we will find someone who can,” he says. “Veterans, their families and their dependents deserve to know they have an equal stake in this department. This is their department. I’m simply here to steward it.”
To that end, Gurley plans to strengthen partnerships to create referral pathways for benefits like Medicaid, energy assistance and health services.
His long-term goal is to ensure that no veteran falls through the cracks simply because they didn’t know where to go.
Gurley also plans to develop a service navigation model, which he has successfully implemented in the past. The program would allow his department to meet veterans where they are, offering services at libraries and other community locations across the county.
“Not everyone can come to us,” Gurley explains. “So, we’re going to them.”
Community engagement will also play a central role in the department’s evolution. Gurley is actively building relationships with other County departments, nonprofits and local businesses to expand support for veterans.
Current efforts include a countywide toiletry drive benefiting the veterans pantry and partnerships that raise awareness and funding for mental health support and suicide prevention.
As a veteran himself, Gurley understands that service does not end with discharge.
“Veterans still want to serve, even when they have very little,” he says. “My goal is to make space for that spirit of selfless service and to give veterans opportunities to remain connected, supported and valued.”
Gurley holds seven degrees, including a Doctor of Public Administration with a focus on intergovernmental affairs. He is also a pastor.
For Gurley, success is not about personal recognition, it’s about building a department strong enough to thrive beyond him.
“When this department is running so efficiently that the director isn’t carrying everything alone, that’s success,” he says.
Veterans Services is part of the Cabarrus County Consolidated Human Services Agency, which also includes Social Services, Child Support Services, Behavioral Health and Transportation. The Veterans Services office is dedicated to providing professional and timely assistance to veterans and their family members, free of charge. The department assists with pension, disability, healthcare, education and memorial benefits.
Learn more by visiting www.cabarruscounty.us/veterans or calling 704-920-2869.