News Summary
Benson has appointed Steven Harrell as the interim town manager after Kim Pickett’s departure. Pickett, who served nearly a decade, joined Smithfield as assistant town manager. Harrell, a former town manager from 1982 to 1984, brings extensive municipal leadership experience. The town board is initiating a search for a permanent manager, aiming for interviews later this year.
Benson has appointed Steven Harrell as its interim town manager following the departure of Kim Pickett, who has taken a new position in Smithfield. Harrell stepped into the role on June 30, 2023, marking his return to the town where he previously served as town manager from 1982 to 1984.
Pickett’s decision to leave Benson to pursue her career goals and personal aspirations comes after nearly a decade of service with the town. She had been the town manager since 2022 and was an integral part of Benson’s leadership since her hiring in 2014.
The Benson Board of Commissioners selected Harrell for the interim position due to his extensive experience and strong connection with the local community. Harrell has a long history of municipal leadership, having begun his career in Goldsboro in 1980 and then serving in various communities across the Carolinas, including Elizabeth City, Washington, Wilmington, and Clinton, South Carolina. He retired as the town manager in Ayden in 2020 and has kept his knowledge of municipal management current by taking on interim roles in multiple towns since then, including Robersonville in 2021, Brevard in 2022, Oxford in 2023, and Wadesboro which he is scheduled to manage in 2024.
The Benson Board and administration have initiated the search for a permanent town manager, with plans to conduct interviews later this year, aiming for a potential hire by December.
Background on Kim Pickett
Kim Pickett joined the Town of Benson in 2014 as a supervisor in the Finance Department. Over the years, she advanced through the ranks to become Finance Director in 2016 and then Assistant Town Manager in 2018. After serving as interim town manager following Fred Nelson’s resignation in March 2022, she was officially appointed to the position in October 2022. Pickett holds a Master of Public Administration from UNC Pembroke obtained in 2020, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Communication with a minor in Business Administration from East Carolina University earned in 2009.
Personal Connections and New Role
Hailing from the Brogden community, Pickett has deep family ties to Smithfield, where her father, brother, and uncle all worked as town employees. She concluded her tenure in Benson on June 30, starting her new role in Smithfield on July 1. This new position as assistant town manager in Smithfield brings with it responsibilities for managing the town’s growth and services—a role that her former colleagues in Benson and Smithfield’s town officials believe she is well-suited for.
While leading Benson, Pickett expressed commitment to advancing the town while maintaining its small-town character. She was approved for a five-year contract as town manager with an annual salary of $110,000 and had left a mark on Benson as a progressive and forward-thinking leader.
Conclusion
With Steven Harrell stepping back into the interim town manager role, Benson is set to navigate a period of transition. The community looks forward to finding a permanent leader who can foster growth and continuity in the wake of Pickett’s departure.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Clinton City Council Approves $35 Million Budget
Benson Board Appoints Steven Harrell as Interim Town Manager
Additional Resources
- JoCo Report: Benson Town Manager Hired as Assistant Smithfield Town Manager
- Wikipedia: Town Manager
- Johnstonian News: Benson’s Interim Manager Has Been Here Before
- Google Search: Benson Town Manager News
- My Daily Record: Benson Selects Interim Town Manager
- Google Scholar: Benson Town Manager
- Vermont Journal: Rockingham Selectboard Discusses Pride Month, Renews Town Manager Contract
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Town Manager
- JoCo Report: Town of Benson Hires New Assistant Town Manager
- Google News: Benson Interim Town Manager
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