Newly sworn in Henderson city manager brings experience, energy to role
By Miles Bates
mbates@hendersondispatch.com; 252-436-2837
Jan 17, 2020 6:18 PM
HENDERSON — Henderson has a new city manager in Terrell Blackmon, who enters this new role having much government-related experience, a sense of excitement and no shortage of things to work on.
“Becoming a full-time city manager has always been a professional goal of mine,” Blackmon said, explaining his interest in the job. “The city of Henderson provides me with the opportunity to take over the reins of a small- to medium-sized community that has the opportunity to blossom and grow into a world class city.”
The city “has great proximity to the [Research Triangle Park], and Kerr Lake is a great asset to the community,” he added. “I grew up in Johnston County, so Henderson also gets me a little closer to check on my mother, who still resides there.”
Sworn in as Henderson’s new city manager on Monday night, his first day on the job was Jan. 15.
The last official work day for Frank Frazier, Blackmon’s predecessor as city manager, was Jan. 13. Frazier will remain on staff through Jan. 31 to help with the transition, Blackmon said.
Blackmon got his MBA from Montreat College and his undergraduate degree in political science from UNC Charlotte. He has more than 25 years of professional work experience in municipal government and nonprofit management.
“I have extensive experience in housing, economic development, in addition to downtown revitalization,” he said. “I hope to address these issues here in Henderson by implementing some of the best practices that have worked in other communities that I have served.”
He was most recently the community and economic development manager for the town of Mooresville, responsible for its housing, economic development, downtown revitalization, historic preservation and transportation programs, he said.
That, prior municipal government experience as a community development administrator and land-use planner, and time spent as a nonprofit executive “have prepared me for the role of city manager,” he said, adding that Henderson is his first such posting.
Now that he’s on the job, Blackmon said his initial “focus is to enhance existing city services by identifying ways to generate additional revenue for the city and grow our fund balance.”
But he’ll ultimately be focusing on the priorities the City Council has identified and documented in the Henderson government’s strategic plan, he said.
Blackmon is moving to Henderson from Indian Trail, and figures to become a full-time resident of Henderson in “the coming weeks,” he said.
“I’m excited to be here in Henderson and I hope to contribute to a better quality of life for all of the citizens of our community,” he said in the email.
mbates@hendersondispatch.com; 252-436-2837
Jan 17, 2020 6:18 PM
HENDERSON — Henderson has a new city manager in Terrell Blackmon, who enters this new role having much government-related experience, a sense of excitement and no shortage of things to work on.
“Becoming a full-time city manager has always been a professional goal of mine,” Blackmon said, explaining his interest in the job. “The city of Henderson provides me with the opportunity to take over the reins of a small- to medium-sized community that has the opportunity to blossom and grow into a world class city.”
The city “has great proximity to the [Research Triangle Park], and Kerr Lake is a great asset to the community,” he added. “I grew up in Johnston County, so Henderson also gets me a little closer to check on my mother, who still resides there.”
Sworn in as Henderson’s new city manager on Monday night, his first day on the job was Jan. 15.
The last official work day for Frank Frazier, Blackmon’s predecessor as city manager, was Jan. 13. Frazier will remain on staff through Jan. 31 to help with the transition, Blackmon said.
Blackmon got his MBA from Montreat College and his undergraduate degree in political science from UNC Charlotte. He has more than 25 years of professional work experience in municipal government and nonprofit management.
“I have extensive experience in housing, economic development, in addition to downtown revitalization,” he said. “I hope to address these issues here in Henderson by implementing some of the best practices that have worked in other communities that I have served.”
He was most recently the community and economic development manager for the town of Mooresville, responsible for its housing, economic development, downtown revitalization, historic preservation and transportation programs, he said.
That, prior municipal government experience as a community development administrator and land-use planner, and time spent as a nonprofit executive “have prepared me for the role of city manager,” he said, adding that Henderson is his first such posting.
Now that he’s on the job, Blackmon said his initial “focus is to enhance existing city services by identifying ways to generate additional revenue for the city and grow our fund balance.”
But he’ll ultimately be focusing on the priorities the City Council has identified and documented in the Henderson government’s strategic plan, he said.
Blackmon is moving to Henderson from Indian Trail, and figures to become a full-time resident of Henderson in “the coming weeks,” he said.
“I’m excited to be here in Henderson and I hope to contribute to a better quality of life for all of the citizens of our community,” he said in the email.
