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Mills River hires new town manager

The town of Mills River has hired Jeffrey D. Wells of Mooresville as its new town new manager, Town Manager Lee Galloway today announced.


A 1999 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Wells worked for a number of years as Planning Director for the Town of Archdale, NC and currently serves as Planning Director for Kannapolis, NC. Wells holds a certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners.
According to Galloway, the search for a new permanent town manager has been going on throughout the fall, since Jaime Laughter announced she was leaving after eight years in Mills River to become the new county manager for Transylvania County effective October 1. Galloway said Town Council hired the professional search firm, Developmental Associates of Chapel Hill, NC, to bring them the best available candidates for the job, and they had dozens of well qualified applicants to choose from.
Mayor Larry Freeman pointed out that Council stipulated early in the search that candidates should have training, experience and expertise in all phases of municipal planning, "Specifically to help guide the Town forward with careful and responsible growth, while maintaining the rural and agricultural character of Mills River that's at the heart of our charter. And we believe Jeff brings this to our Town."
Interim Manager Galloway thanked the Town's staff for taking care of "business as usual" throughout the process, and he also expressed the Town's gratitude to stakeholders in the Mills River community and in nearby governments who, he said, "... provided volunteer time and thoughtful input as the candidates for the position were individually interviewed and assessed."
Wells said, "I want to thank the Mayor and Council for this outstanding opportunity. When I saw the ad for the town manager, I knew it was the perfect place for me. I look forward to raising my family in this wonderful community." Jeff, his wife Rebecca, and their three-year old son Zane are currently shopping for a home in Henderson County, and expect to be in the process of re-locating shortly after the holidays. Wells will begin his duties in Mills River on January 20th.