Mr. Waters joined the department in 2004 and has served as the Department's general counsel and deputy legislative liaison until his appointment as assistant secretary.

He earned a Bachelor's degree in philosophy from Barton College. He completed a Masters Degree (counseling) from East Carolina University, and was awarded his Juris Doctor degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law where he was also a senior board member of the School of Law's Moot Court.

Mr. Waters practiced law in Durham and served as an assistant district attorney for the 14th Judicial District. He has also served as legal counsel for the NC ABC Commission and as an assistant attorney general in the N.C. Department of Justice prior to his appointment as general counsel at the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety. Mr. Waters is a past recipient of the North Carolina Jaycees Outstanding Young Men of the Year Award, and is a recipient of the VFW Post 2740 Community Service Award.

Mr. Waters and his wife, Peggy, have two daughters.