Pittsboro, NC – Chatham County manager Renee Paschal has informed the Board of Commissioners and staff that she will be retiring effective Oct. 1, 2018 after 30 years of service in local and state government.
For continuity, the Board of Commissioners has decided to appoint Assistant County Manager Dan LaMontagne as the interim county manager, effective Oct. 1, 2018.
“This was such a difficult decision, because I have the privilege of working with such extraordinary people in Chatham County government and across the entire county. My decision is due to growing family responsibilities that require much more of my time — being manager requires complete commitment,” Paschal said.
“I am so honored that the Board of Commissioners entrusted me to serve in the manager role. Their continued support has been greatly appreciated,” Paschal added.
As to the future, Paschal stated, “I have full confidence in the leadership, vision and skills of county administration and departments to move Chatham County forward effectively. While it’s hard to leave such a great organization, I know it is in very capable hands.”
Commissioner Chairman Diana Hales said, “The Board of Commissioners seriously regrets that Renee has to leave for other obligations. We have been so fortunate to have her leadership in the county for 25 years. She will be greatly missed. Her commitment and expertise in support of Chatham residents is unparalleled.”
Paschal has been with Chatham County for a total of 25 years. She has held several county administration leadership positions during that time. She was promoted from assistant county manager to county manager in in November 2015.
During her tenure with Chatham, Paschal played a key role in several major accomplishments, including:
- Paschal helped design and implement the Chatham Leadership Academy, which helps prepare employees for higher level work. In 15 years, the program has graduated 268 employees.
- In 2014, Chatham County earned the highest bond rating of AAA from Standard & Poor’s and a AA1 rating from Moody’s. These ratings are unprecedented for counties in our population group.
- Paschal helped a local citizens group develop the curriculum for a Citizens College program. It has transitioned to being a program offered through Central Carolina Community College in Pittsboro and consistently has maximum capacity enrollment of local residents. She also helped the Chamber of Commerce develop its Leadership Chatham program.
- Chatham County worked with the Economic Development Corporation to secure $8 million in grant funding from Golden LEAF to develop site infrastructure for the county’s two megasites.
- Just a few months ago, Paschal initiated the formation of cross-departmental teams to begin the process of implementing the new Chatham Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted by the Board of Commissioners in 2017.
- A new Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center opened in March 2017, the largest multi-use meeting venue in the county.
- County administration has negotiated three major joint use facilities, including a main library shared with Central Carolina Community College, a vehicle & bus garage shared with the school system and an upcoming recreation center, also shared with the school system.
- Paschal helped the county develop a budgeting process that is considered a model throughout the state and region.
- Chatham County’s customer service ratings for staff interactions showed tremendous gains in 2017 when compared to the 2015 phone survey.
Paschal has recently served on the Board of Directors of the NC City and County Management Association and is currently the first vice president. She earned a scholarship from this group to enroll in the inaugural class of the Public Executive Leadership Academy at the UNC-School of Government.
Earlier in her career, Paschal worked in the NC General Assembly and with other local governments: City of Greensboro, strategic planning and special projects manager; City of Burlington, assistant public information officer; and Town of Elon College, town clerk and planner.