News

Hendersonville city manager leaving for Durham post

Bo Ferguson makes a point to City Council as Main Street director Lew Holloway looks on.

By Bill Moss, Published: November 16, 2012

Hendersonville City Manager Bo Ferguson is resigning his job here to become deputy city manager of Durham, a career move he describes as a "once in a lifetime" opportunity.

Ferguson, who hand in hand with the City Council led the council through a makeover of Main Street, improvements to the city water system and development of parkland, praised the mayor and council. He plans to leave Dec. 28.
"On the occasion of my departure, let me take this opportunity to let you know that Hendersonville has the best City Council I have ever worked with in my 16-year career," he said in email to the media. "They care about the needs of citizens, are responsive to the business community, and treat each other with a dignity that is rare among today's elected officials.
"They are professional, unselfish, visionary and focused on the long-term success of our city. They reject petty politics and instead engage in meaningful dialogue, while allowing their staff to carry out our responsibilities with careful oversight but no selfish interference.
"For those reasons, I am confident they will select a new City Manager who represents those values and continues the excellent progress our city has enjoyed over the years," he said. "Hendersonville has an incredibly bright future."
As deputy city manager over operations in Durham, North Carolina's fourth largest city, Ferguson will manage departments that make up about two-thirds of the city workforce, about 2,200 employees.
"Managing Hendersonville has been very challenging and extremely rewarding, but this opportunity will obviously bring a very different set of challenges," he said. "That chance to push myself and test my abilities ultimately drew me to accept the position. It will be hard work in a complex urban city – I'm excited, but I'm also heartbroken to leave. There is so much that I will miss about living here and serving as Hendersonville's city manager."
He said he expected the council to appoint an interim manager while is carries on a search for a replacement.
"I am confident both the interim and permanent City Managers will be people of exceptional character and qualifications, and will continue Hendersonville's progress for years to come," he said. "This job will be highly sought after by professional managers from across the country – I have no doubt the Council will have excellent options to choose from."