During a Board of Aldermen Meeting on Tuesday November 26, Michael R. Epperson announced his resignation as New Bern, North Carolina's City Manager effective December 30, 2013. Ward and Smith, P.A. is pleased to welcome him as the Firm's new Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer.
Ward and Smith looks forward to having Mr. Epperson join our Firm. Co‑Managing Director, Kenneth R. Wooten said, "Ward and Smith is excited to have someone of Mike's caliber join our team. His experience in strategic planning and project management will serve the Firm's future goals and our long‑standing commitment to client satisfaction, reliability, responsiveness, and teamwork."
Mr. Epperson served as New Bern's City Manager since 2010. He is an International City/County Management Association Credentialed Manager with more than 20 years of proven leadership experience in strategic planning, performance management, organizational/employee development, finance and budget administration, and innovative program development within a full‑service organization. As City Manager, Mr. Epperson's accomplishments include increasing the City's general fund reserve balance from 7% to 25% and the creation of a high performance management team by reorganizing and recruiting key department heads. He also facilitated a strategic goals and objectives initiative with the Board of Aldermen that resulted in the adoption of a focused and accountable set of strategic initiatives for each member's term in office.
