News

Hendersonville names new city manager

By Bill Moss, Published: April 23, 2013

The city manager of Clinton has been named Hendersonville's new city manager, the mayor and Hendersonville City Council announced today.John F. Connet was selected from a field of 86 individuals who applied for the position, Mayor Barbara Volk said. He will begin work in Hendersonville on May 28.
Connet has served as City Manager of Clinton, east of Raleigh, since July 2002, and before that, from 1999 until 2002, was Town Manager of Winterville, near Greenville, N.C. Connet also worked for the city of Hickory, first as Planner from 1992 until 1997 and then as Risk Manager from 1997 until 1999.
Connet earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science/Geography from Western Carolina University in August, 1992, and received a Master's degree in Public Administration from Appalachian State University in December 1997. In addition to his formal education, Mr. Connet has strived for further professional development through the School of Government at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, attending the Municipal Administration Program in 2000 and the Public Executive Leadership Academy in 2008.
Mr. Connet is a member of the International City and County Management Association and has earned and maintained the Credentialed Manager status. He also belongs to the North Carolina City and County Management Association and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina League of Municipalities.
He has been recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International, is certified as a Merit Badge Instructor for Boy Scouts of America and was an the Eagle Scout in Troop 27 of Clinton. While at Western Carolina, he was elected to serve as President of the Student Government Association.
Connet, his wife, Lori, and their two daughters, ages 8 and 10, attend the Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church, where John has served as an elder.
"With his background at Western Carolina and Appalachian State, John knows the mountains", Mayor Volk said in a news release. "Clinton, although smaller than Hendersonville, has all the departments we have and has recently done downtown rejuvenation and a park master plan, so John understands our challenges. The Council members are looking forward to having John, his wife and his daughters with us and for all of you to meet them. A reception to introduce the Connet family and welcome them to our community will be announced soon."