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By Charlotte Smith

Former County of Bladen Manager, Greg Martin

After 23 years of dedicated service, Greg Martin, the former County Manager of Bladen County, has stepped down from his position to join the Hilton Companies, a local business. In a significant development, the Bladen County Board of Commissioners convened on January 31, 2024, to appoint Charles Ray Peterson, their chairman, as the Interim County Manager.

Peterson, who has been a County Commissioner for Bladen since 2002, wasted no time stepping into his new role. This morning, he met with all department heads to explain his vision for the county’s future, stating, “We don’t want any surprises. I want to keep us in the middle of the road and continue moving forward.”

The local commissioners are scheduled to meet again on Tuesday, February 6, to explore options with the North Carolina County Commissioner’s Association (NCACC). The NCACC is a non-partisan organization that serves as the official voice of all 100 counties. The primary focus of the February 6 meeting will be the finalization of the job description for the new County Manager position. Peterson emphasized, “We will be united in the process, and everyone will have a voice regarding the county’s needs.”

Commissioner Charles Ray Peterson was appointed as the Interim County Manager.

Peterson outlined their criteria for the new County Manager, stating, “We want someone with enthusiasm, who wants to live here and continue to witness the county’s growth. With various projects in progress, we will be even better than we are today once they come to fruition.”

While the NCACC will manage the hiring process, the county has already secured an email address and post office box for the application process. This process is expected to span approximately six months.

Peterson clarified that three applications for the Interim Manager position are currently under review, with interviews to be conducted shortly. His interim role is expected to last only three to four weeks before a new Interim Manager is selected. Peterson emphasized the importance of a deliberate selection process, saying, “We don’t want to rush through this transition. The Board will appoint a new Interim Manager to guide us through the budget process. Greg leaves behind big shoes to fill, and this transition marks a significant change we haven’t experienced in over two decades.”

The February 6 meeting is scheduled at the Curtis L. Brown, Jr. Field Airport, located on Airport Road in Elizabethtown, at 6 pm and will include both an open session and a closed session before adjournment. Peterson anticipates that the application process for the new County Manager position will officially open on February 7, 2024.

Peterson says he is available for any inquiries or concerns. He can be contacted via phone at 910-862-6701, through email at cpeterson@bladenco.org, or in person at the County office.

The Bladen County Board of Commissioners currently includes Chairman, Mr. Charles Ray Peterson, Vice Chair, Dr. Danny Ellis, Immediate Past Chairman, Mr. Rodney Hester, Mr. Ray Britt, Arthur A. Bullock, Mr. G. Michael Cogdell, Mr. Mark Gillespie, Rev. Cameron McGill, and Dr. Ophelia Munn-Goins. The BladenOnline team is committed to providing updates and further information about the new manager for Bladen County as soon as it becomes available. Stay tuned for the latest developments.

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