Darlene Norton

Executive Director

Darlene Norton brings over 36 years of dedicated leadership and service in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) field. Starting with Gaston Residential Services in 1990 as a direct care staff, Darlene has worked with people served at GRS over the years as a house manager, case manager and as the Director of Supported Living. Darlene became Executive Director in 2018. Throughout her career, Darlene has championed person-centered support. Darlene earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1989. She later pursued her passion for helping others by completing a Master of Arts in Counseling at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, gaining advanced training in therapeutic techniques, and person-centered care.