Town of Knightdale :: Town Manager

ADMINISTRATION

Town Manager

Appointment of Town Manager - Statutory Reference.

Profile

The Town Manager is appointed by the Town Council and is the Chief Executive Officer of the Town. The position is responsible for the overall management of all Departments. Gary McConkey has served as the Knightdale Town Manager since 1991. Prior to coming to Knightdale, Gary worked as a private consultant, served as the Cary Finance Director, was the Town Manager in Jefferson City, TN and Hickman, KY, and held various positions with the City of Memphis. Gary has a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from East Tennessee State University and a Masters of Business Administration from Memphis State University. Prior to college, Gary served four years in the U.S. Navy.

Gary is married to wife Becky, and the couple has two children, Brent and Kelly. In addition to serving as Town Manager, Gary produces East Wake Television, Channel 22. The station started with minimal equipment purchased by the local cable franchisee and has grown to provide a variety of information and local programming covering all of eastern Wake County. Gary has held leadership positions with the Rotary Club, E. Wake Educational Foundation and is currently on the Knightdale Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Gary McConkey

Knightdale Town Manager Gary McConkey

Assistant Town Manager

The Assistant Town Manager position was created in 2006 with direct responsibility for Public Safety. The Assistant Manager assists in the administrative operations of Town government and has responsibility for projects as assigned.

Profile

Seth Lawless has been Knightdale's Assistant Town Manager since late 2006 after 17 years working for the Towns of Franklinton, NC, Beech Mtn., NC and Nags Head, NC. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and a Masters of Public Administration, both from Appalachian State University.

Town Clerk/Human Resources Director

Suzanne Yeatts serves as Knightdale's Town Clerk and Human Resources Director. Suzanne was hired by the Town in 1997 and served in the Finance Department until 2006 when she transitioned from the Assistant Finance Director to her current position as Town Clerk and Human Resources Director. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from North Carolina Wesleyan College where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and an Associate in Applied Science degree in Accounting from Wake Technical Community College. Suzanne was employed for five years as a Staff Accountant at a local CPA firm before joining the Town of Knightdale's team. She was awarded designation as a Certified Local Government Purchasing Officer in 2006 and has recently completed coursework to fulfill the education requirements for designation as a Certified Municipal Clerk.

As Town Clerk, Suzanne is responsible for maintaining complete and accurate records of Town Council proceedings, serving as custodian of all official Town records, coordinating the publication of the Town Code, responding to all public records requests, and serving as a Notary Public for Town citizens.

As Human Resources Director, Suzanne administers the Town's Personnel Policy, is responsible for managing the recruitment and selection process for all Town positions, administration of the pay and classification system and all employee benefits, implementation of employee incentive programs and maintaining personnel files.