This news item expired on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
On Feb. 5, 2019, the Board of Commissioners appointed Avril Pinder of New Hanover County, North Carolina as County Manager after a rigorous search process. Pinder has been serving as Deputy County Manager for New Hanover County since 2015 and prior to that as Assistant County Manager and Finance Director.
Pinder earned an MBA from Delaware State University and has held numerous positions in local government for the last 23 years. “In her leadership positions Pinder has been involved in proactive planning, preserving key environmental resources, improving quality of life, affordable housing efforts, and addressing the opioid crisis,” noted Commission Chair Brownie Newman. “Her experience will be valuable as we address these issues in Buncombe. Additionally, her enthusiasm and reputation among her peers and community really resonated with the Board.”
Pinder is an International City/County Management Association credentialed manager and has experience in business, finance, budget planning, debt financing, regulatory compliance, development of policies and procedures, and staff management. “I am delighted to have this opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful community,” stated Pinder. “I am looking forward to working with a Board, staff, and community dedicated to public service. Buncombe County had a stellar reputation and after everything that has happened recently, I am committed to regaining the public’s trust and working with the citizens, Board, and employees to continue to deliver the service they want and deserve.”
Some of her professional highlights include:
- Obtained New Hanover County’s first Triple-A bond rating from Standard and Poor’s Rating Agency and a higher bond rating from Moody’s Investor Service.
- Established a pool of private banks for startup businesses to access loans.
- Worked with the local historical society to develop a proposal to revitalize a historical building, resulting in the first publicly owned green roof building in the region.
As County Manager, Pinder will be tasked with drafting a multimillion-dollar budget, managing County departments, making recommendations to Commissioners, and overseeing day-to-day operations of the County. She is expected to start March 4. Please join us as we welcome Avril Pinder to her new role.