New Carrboro town manager sworn in

David Andrews, newly appointed Carrboro town manager, has been walking a lot during the past week, visiting local businesses and taking in the small-town feel of Carrboro.

“I’m really excited about it and I think it’s a great opportunity,” he said.

Andrews was sworn in at a Tuesday night Board of Aldermen meeting.

“I’m very appreciative of the confidence that you’ve shown in me,” Andrews told the board.

Andrews will replace interim manager Matt Efird, to whom the town issued a formal thank you. Efird will now be assistant town manager.

Andrews, who has worked in local government for more than 20 years, applied for the position and was selected by the board and Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton.

The town hired Springsted Inc., a consulting firm based in Richmond, Va., to conduct a national search, involving more than 50 applicants, four of whom were chosen to be interviewed.

Chilton announced the selection at a board meeting Feb. 7.

“David Andrews was really the person who made a case that persuaded everybody,” Chilton said.

Chilton said Andrews understood Carrboro and its values.

“He really gets our community and how we really want to be different from other local governments,” Chilton said.

Andrews comes to Carrboro from the Town of Paradise Valley, Ariz., where he was assistant town manager and budget director.

Paradise Valley Mayor Scott LeMarr said he is happy for Andrews.

“David always wanted to be a town manager. He did his job well for us, but that was his professional goal,” he said. “I think he and his wife will be a good fit.”

Alderman Randee Haven-O’Donnell agrees.

“He’s just what we need,” she said.

Chilton said the most immediate challenge Andrews will face is the town budget.

“Anybody coming in would be facing a challenge in looking at our municipal budget,” Chilton said. “He has 20 years of experience in local government, and I expect a lot of that will come to bear.”

LeMarr said Andrews managed the town’s budget well during tough financial times.

“We had some challenges and David was very innovative,” LeMarr said. “The budget analysis is his strong point.”

Andrews said he has already started working on the 2012-2013 town budget and will use his background in economic development and finance.

“The challenge will be to try to take care of all the needs of the community while being sensitive to what is going on with the economy as a whole,” he said.

Andrews said many Carrboro priorities interest him, including environmental preservation and economic development.

“There’s a good connection, a good fit between what the board and townspeople want compared with my interests and background,” he said.

Contact the City Editor at city@dailytarheel.com.