LENOIR, NC (February 8, 2018)…The City of Lenoir has hired Jared Wright to serve as the next Public Works Director. Wright has 17 years of experience in the construction industry; he has managed public and private projects; and he previously worked as the Stormwater Administrator for the City of Lenoir.
City Manager Scott Hildebran said he had an excellent pool of candidates to consider. Wright stood out among the group due to his experience and his ties to the community.
“Jared is well thought of and well respected in the community and by his former City peers,” Hildebran said. “He is very customer-service oriented; he’s known for his thoroughness and attention to detail, and he knows the environment.”
Hildebran said Wright’s experience in the public and private sectors will help him be successful in Lenoir.
“He’s a great fit for the City of Lenoir,” Hildebran said.
Wright is a Caldwell County native. He grew up in Collettsville, graduated from West Caldwell High School, and earned an Associates of Arts from CCC&TI. He’s currently completing a B.A. from North Carolina State University.
After high school, Wright worked for the family utility company and became owner/operator in 2006. In 2011, he came to work for the City of Lenoir as the Stormwater Administrator; he was responsible for implementing the state’s Phase 2 Stormwater rules for Lenoir and the other towns in Caldwell County.
In 2015, Wright took a position as Construction Administrator with McGill Associates, P.A., where he managed all aspects of Construction Phase Services including developing proposals, assigning staff, scheduling, budgeting, contract administration and more.
When the Public Works Director position became available, Wright jumped on the opportunity to return to the City.
“I loved working in Lenoir,” Wright said. “The relationships I was able to develop while working for the City are some of the best in my life, and the opportunity to come back is very exciting.”
As Public Works Director, Wright will be responsible for managing 40+ employees and six divisions: Solid Waste, Streets, Engineering, Building Maintenance, Cemeteries / Downtown Grounds, and Vehicle Services. Those divisions handle trash collection, leaf and brush pickup; city street maintenance; storm drains; engineering for projects; maintenance at city facilities, cemeteries, and downtown grounds; and maintenance of all city vehicles.
Wright said he knows he has some big shoes to fill, but he looks forward to bringing his knowledge and experience to the City of Lenoir.
“I’m humbled and honored to be selected for this position,” Wright said. “I look forward to continuing the outstanding work that the Public Works Department consistently delivers to the City of Lenoir.”
Wright and his wife Courtney have been married 13 years and have a 10-year-old daughter named Maddy. Courtney is the current principal at Sawmills Elementary School. They are members of First Baptist Church in Lenoir. Wright said that his perfect weekend would be “trout fishing, smoking barbeque, and tossing cornhole.”
Wright starts Feb. 19. He will spend two weeks working alongside current Public Works Director Charles Beck. Beck will retire March 1.
Read more about the Public Works Department and other City departments at www.cityoflenoir.com/quickfacts.