A decade-plus run as Macon County manager will end for Derek Roland, who announced his resignation at the county commissioners’ meeting on Sept. 10.
“Gentlemen, after much reflection and with a heavy heart, I will announce my intent tonight to step down as Macon County manager,” Roland said at the start of the Board of Commissioners meeting. “This decision has not been easy. I’ve given the last 15 years of my life to this organization, 10 of which have been serving as the county manager. It’s been an honor and a privilege to work alongside some of the most talented, driven and compassionate individuals I have ever known, in the Macon County employees. Together we faced challenges, celebrated victories, we’ve mourned loses and through all that I feel like we became more than colleagues, we became more than friends, we became family. And that’s what makes this decision bittersweet.”
The Oct. 8 commissioners’ meeting will be Roland’s last. Roland did not specify in his address when his last day as county manager will be. According to Macon County Human Resources Director and Board Clerk Tammy Keezer, Roland gave an “up to 60-day notice per his contract.”
“My decision to resign as county manager is my decision,” Roland said. “And I’m making it to pursue another career opportunity.”
Roland said he met with each commissioner before the Sept. 10 meeting to tell them.
“We’ll miss him and I wish him the best,” Commissioner Chair Gary Shields said after the meeting. “Whatever his future holds, I hope it’s prosperous for him and his whole family.”
“I’m broken-hearted, I’m going to miss this guy. He’s been instrumental in helping me out quite a bit with this being my first term,” Commissioner Danny Antoine said after the meeting. “Absolutely going to miss him but very supportive of his decision. He’s got to do something for his family right now and it’s a good thing.”
During the meeting, Commissioner Josh Young said he hates to see Roland go and will reserve further comment until that Oct. 8 meeting.
Roland said he’s “loved every second” of the job and the organization and will assist the board with the replacement process.
Roland has served as Macon County manager since being tapped for the job in November 2013 and starting in December 2013. Previously, Roland was the Macon County planner.
Continuation meeting to discuss county manager position
The commissioners reconvened at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17. At that meeting, Franklin Mayor Jack Horton, a former county manager, spoke as an outreach associate to the N.C. Association of County Commissioners.
Horton said he talked to Shields and Roland last week, saying he helps search for key county associates, including interims. As a member of the N.C. Association of County Commissioners, they can help minimize the cost of finding new managers.
There are several vacancies currently in WNC, Horton said, explaining that it’s hard to find someone with the expertise and willingness. As far as an interim and permanent options, Horton said they have a list of options, but do not recommend who to hire, but will let them know of “validated” claims against certain candidates.
Horton said the timeline depends on how long the county wants it to be, saying the process could take up to six months. Interim county managers would be in place between 60 days and three months and likely would be a retired county manager.
“Macon County has a reputation for several decades of being a leader in this part of the state as far as operations, management and looking ahead at the things you need to do for the citizens who elected you to serve,” Horton said.
With Roland’s 60-day notice as of Sept. 10, Horton said it’s likely Macon County can get an interim manager in place by the end of October.
Shields said he’s tired of waking up in the middle of the night thinking about not having a county manager in the future and wanted to proceed forward with Horton’s help. Young said he has a list of questions he wanted to ask in closed session before making any decisions.
County Human Resources Director Tammy Keezer said each board member had a recruitment packet, which she said was to be gone through in closed session.
At roughly 9:37 a.m., the board went into closed session. After nearly two hours, the board reconvened and adjourned without any further action.