Duck town council voted unanimously Thursday to appoint Drew Havens as the new town manager starting Feb. 15.
Havens, most recently town manager of Apex, fills the position vacated when former manager Christopher Layton resigned last year.
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Layton resigned July 24, 2020, after being charged July 15, 2020, with two misdemeanor counts of assault on female, the spouse of an employee of the North Carolina Coastal Federation, which publishes Coastal Review Online, according to a previous report.
Dare County Clerk of Courts office said in October that the assault case against Layton was continued from Oct. 22 to Dec. 7, according to the Outer Banks Voice. The trial is now set for April 8.
The council contracted with Developmental Associates of Chapel Hill to conduct the search to fill the manager vacancy after Layton’s resignation.
“The council conducted an extensive search process starting in August of last year, reviewing and deliberating on numerous well-qualified candidates. Drew was selected for his leadership capabilities, outstanding qualifications, and experiences,” Mayor Don Kingston said in a statement.
“On behalf of the entire Duck Town Council, I would like to congratulate Drew Havens on becoming our Town Manager and welcome him to the Town of Duck,” said Kingston. “We look forward to working closely with Drew and introducing him to all of the citizens of Duck.”
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Havens brings over 20 years of municipal management experience.
“I am humbled by the opportunity to work with the Mayor, Council, and a great group of professional staff members to continue to provide a high level of quality service to those who live in and visit Duck,” said Haven in a statement. “I look forward to meeting those I serve and working in this organization that values transparency and collaboration, and with co-workers who are empowered to carry out the vision established by the community.”
Havens graduated from Syracuse University in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts in liberal arts, with a Political Science concentration. He received his Master of Public Administration in 2009 from Walden University in Minneapolis. In addition to municipal management experience in small and large towns, Havens had an early career in public safety as a police officer and firefighter.
Kingston recognized Director of Community Development Joe Heard “for the leadership he has provided to the Town as Interim Town Manager over the past seven months.”
Havens will attend the council retreat Feb. 17-18 that will be livestreamed for the public and will include chances to engage remotely with staff and council members. The town will offer additional virtual opportunities to meet Haven in the coming months.
