The Town of Chapel Hill is once again going with a veteran presence to serve in the town manager role until a permanent candidate is formally chosen.

The Chapel Hill Town Council appointed Deputy Town Manager Mary Jane Nirdlinger as the interim town manager, effective Wednesday, Jan. 1, serving in the role for outgoing town manager Chris Blue.

“I am honored to be able to serve the Town in this new role and through this time of transition,” said Nirdlinger in a release on Monday. “During my tenure with the organization, I’ve seen our excellent team manage many changes and I’m proud to serve alongside them in this interim capacity.”

During her 16 years with the town government, Nirdlinger has served in a variety of planning and leadership roles. Beginning as the assistant planning director in 2009, she then held positions like Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Executive Director of the Office of Planning and Sustainability and Assistant Town Manager. During that time, she led initiatives like Chapel Hill’s 2020 Comprehensive Plan and the town’s Plain Language program before becoming deputy town manager three years ago.

Nirdlinger’s experience also came into play as Blue stepped into the interim — and then permanent — town manager position. Having initially announced a retirement as Chapel Hill Police chief, Blue backtracked to step into the different role after Maurice Jones resigned in the winter of 2022. This fall, however, Blue once again announced his plans to retire in “early 2025” after more than 27 years of local government service in Chapel Hill.

“Having worked with Mary Jane for over a decade and having seen her serve in numerous Town leadership roles,” Blue said in Monday’s release, “I know she has all of skills and abilities to lead the organization through this transition. The Town team is in very good hands with her at the helm.” 

Nirdlinger holds a bachelor’s degree from American University, a master’s degree from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

As part of the work to fill the town manager position long-term, the Chapel Hill Town council chose Developmental Associates to lead the search and recruitment process for permanent candidates, according to the local government’s release.

 

Featured photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.

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