Durham County didn’t look far in selecting a new county manager after the former manager’s mysterious exit last week .
The Board of Commissioners voted Monday morning to appoint Interim County Manager Claudia Hager to the permanent role.
Hager took over in an acting capacity when County Manager Kimberly Sowell mysteriously resigned Oct. 28 after seven weeks of paid leave.
County officials have refused to say why Sowell went on leave or what her severance package included.
The News & Observer has submitted numerous public records requests to the county since mid-September that remain unfulfilled.
Hager will be sworn in during the commissioners’ next meeting, on Nov. 12, but her appointment is effective immediately.
“I was honored and humbled when the county commissioners asked me to consider stepping in permanently as the manager and provide some continuity of leadership,” Hager said Monday. “I appreciate the opportunity to serve.”
She has worked for Durham County for about 14 years and was most recently a deputy county manager. Her previous experience includes stints in financial management at N.C. Central University and the UNC System.