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After a nationwide search, the Mills River Town Council has appointed Matthew McKirahan as the new town manager, with his role commencing from July 29, 2024. McKirahan, currently the organizational performance director for the Village of Pinehurst, has previously worked as an ICMA Fellow for the City of Fort Lauderdale, FL, and for the UNC School of Government. The selection process included screening interviews, essay surveys, and simulations to identify leadership skills, culminating in a final in-person interview.
Mills River Appoints Matthew McKirahan as New Town Manager
Matthew McKirahan will commence as Mills River town manager on July 29.
Mills River Town Council has appointed Matthew McKirahan, an accomplished local government executive, as its new town manager, effective from July 29. Currently serving as the organizational performance director for the Village of Pinehurst, McKirahan has a strong background in strategic planning and execution.
In addition to his current role, McKirahan was an ICMA Fellow for the City of Fort Lauderdale, focusing on boosting multi-departmental performance. He also gained substantial experience in communication and marketing from his tenure at the UNC School of Government.
The selection process for the new town manager was extensive and rigorous, with nearly 1,000 individuals showing interest. Thirty-three applicants went through screening interviews, essay surveys, and simulations to assess their leadership abilities. Five finalists were selected for an intensive evaluation conducted by municipal and local government management experts. The North Carolina-based firm, Developmental Associates, managed the entire recruitment and selection process.
Prior to his role in Pinehurst, McKirahan worked as an analyst for budget and management services for the city of Raleigh. Mayor Shanon Gonce expressed satisfaction at the selection, believing McKirahan’s strategic planning background would be a valuable asset to the council.
In response to his appointment, McKirahan said, “I’m honored to serve the Mills River community as their town manager. The town of Mills River is truly unique and I’m eager to work with the council and the dedicated staff for its continued success.”
The town’s leaders are planning a reception at Mills River Town Hall to introduce McKirahan to the community once he assumes his new role.
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