Politics

Connet leaving city manager job for new role helping city leaders statewide

John Connet

By Bill Moss, Published: July 31, 2026

John Connet, who has led the city of Hendersonville through robust residential development, the recruitment of major manufacturing facilities, the city-county partnership that built the Pardee-Wingate-BRCC health sciences building and cancer center and recovery from Hurricane Helene, is moving on to a new job helping cities across the state improve local government.

Connet, 56, said in an interview Friday morning that he was not seeking the job but that the opportunity came up in conversations with leaders of the N.C. League of Municipalities. He will work with other managers across the state in a newly created position, director of city relations.

"I can live in Hendersonville and work from home and do some traveling," he said. "It was an opportunity I wasn't looking for. It just materialized over the last few weeks in conversations with the league."

The new position will allow him to support more than 500 municipalities across the state and improve the quality of life for North Carolinians. Connet has taken active leadership roles in a volunteer capacity for NCLM in the past, but this full-time position will expand the reach of his advocacy and service. He will join the league in late September.

During his 13 years as city manager, Connet has hired a police chief, fire chief, city attorney, planning director, city engineer, public works director, water-sewer director, communications director and numerous other department heads.

"I would not have been comfortable taking this position is the team here top to bottom was not as good as it is," he said. "You're going to ask me my proudest achievement. It's the team we built here that makes me look good."

“Local government has the most direct and tangible impact on residents’ lives,” Connet said in a news release. “That is something I have focused on for over three decades as a local government employee and city manager. I’ve been called to take the next step in protecting the quality of life we enjoy here in Hendersonville and working to make sure local governments across the state can continue to serve their residents effectively.” 
“John’s municipal experience and professionalism are unmatched,” said Rose Vaughn Williams, NCLM's executive director. “The League has valued his contributions over the years while serving on our board of directors and risk management services board of trustees, and we’re excited to see the positive impact he’ll make working directly with municipal members.”  

“I know I am leaving Hendersonville in very professional and capable hands,” said Connet. “Since my arrival as manager in 2013, we have worked to build a team of capable, motivated, and talented professionals who truly care about our community.”  
The City Council is working with Connet to determine a timeline and transition to the city’s next manager. 
“While this news is bittersweet, I have full confidence that our organization will transition successfully into its next leadership chapter,” Mayor Barbara Volk said. “Over the next few weeks, we will make additional announcements and celebrate John’s contributions to our city.” 
Additional announcements regarding organizational leadership will be made before Connet begins his new role with NCLM in late September, the city said.

Connet came to the city of Hendersonville from the city of Clinton, near Raleigh. He was city manager in Winterville, outside Greenville, N.C., for three years before leading Clinton for 11.

He has served on the N.C. League of Municipalities Board of Directors, the Western Carolina University Alumni Association Board of Directors, and is an adjunct professor in WCU’s Master of Public Affairs program. Connet earned his bachelor's degree from Western Carolina University and a master of public administration from Appalachian State University.  

In October 2022, the Hendersonville City Council adopted a proclamation honoring Connet as a "City Manager of Distinction" a month after the International City and County Management Association honored him for 30 years of service in municipal government.

An Eagle Scout, Connet earned a bachelor's degree from Western Carolina University and master's degree in public administration from Appalachian State University.

He is a credentialed member of the International City/County Manager Association and a member and the past president of the North Carolina City and County Management Association, served on the Western Carolina University Alumni Association Board of Directors and served on the N.C. League of Municipalities Board of Directors. In 2018, he was named a North Carolina Main Street Champion and received the Robert L. Shepherd Excellence in Local Government Award.