After conducting a nationwide search for its next town manager, the Town of Chapel Hill ultimately didn’t have to look far from home.

The local government announced that Chris Blue, who has been serving as the interim town manager, is being named to the permanent role. The Chapel Hill Town Council passed its approval of the selection on Monday night in a special meeting.

“I am so appreciative to the Council for their trust in me and to our amazing Town team for their support, guidance, and leadership over these last few months,” said Blue in a statement. “I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together for our community in the months and years ahead.”

Blue, a 25-year veteran of the Chapel Hill Police Department who served for 12 years as chief, assumed the interim role in December. He was set to retire from the local government until Maurice Jones announced his resignation as town manager, leading Blue to throw himself in for consideration.

At the time, the former police chief said he saw his interim service as helpful to the town as it also sought a permanent planning director and parks and recreation director. Those roles were filled by Britany Waddell in February and Atuya Cornwall in April, respectively.

Blue, who is a Chapel Hill native, was sworn in as a local police officer in 1997 before becoming police chief in 2010. He saw some of his duties as police chief overlap with other town services — which helped his case when being chosen for the interim position. He was also in charge of the town’s parking services, building and development services, and town inspections.

In its release about the selection, the town government said Blue’s efforts to help the town council create its first five-year budget strategy are also an accomplishment during his time as interim manager.

“In making this choice, the Council conducted an extensive national search and interviewed a number of highly qualified candidates,” said Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger. “In the end, Chris’ leadership abilities, experience, and demonstrated record of success in Chapel Hill led the Council to select him as our permanent Manager. All of us are excited about our choice and we are looking forward to working with Chris as he takes on this role permanently.”

The town said Blue will officially assume the permanent town manager position effective Tuesday, August 1.

 

Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.

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