The Wilson City Council has chosen Rodger Lentz as the eighth City Manager in the city's history, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of longtime manager Grant Goings.
The Council made the unanimous decision at the May 1 breakfast meeting. Lentz has served as interim City Manager since Goings' retirement on Jan. 31, 2025.
“I am honored that our City Council has entrusted me with the opportunity to serve as Wilson’s next City Manager,” said Lentz. “I look forward to working alongside our more than 700 dedicated employees to continue delivering exceptional service to our residents and businesses. I am grateful to be part of such an outstanding team committed to Wilson’s continued success.”
As City Manager, Lentz will oversee the daily operations of more than 20 divisions. He will assist the City Council in developing budgets, in implementing City Council's directions and policies, and in shaping the strategic direction of Wilson’s future.
Lentz has worked for the city for more than 18 years. He was hired in 2007 as Chief Planning and Development Officer, overseeing Planning, Community Development, Land Development, Code Enforcement, Inspections, GIS, and Downtown Development. He was promoted to Assistant City Manager in June 2022.
Lentz holds a bachelor's degree in Geography from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he concentrated in Urban Studies, and a master's degree in Geography from University of North Carolina-Charlotte where he studied Urban and Regional Planning. He is also a graduate of the UNC School of Government City/County Administration program.
Prior to coming to Wilson, he worked in planning with the City of Charlotte, Cabarrus County, and Matthews, N.C. He has served on the Board of Directors for the 44,000-member American Planning Association and is the former North Carolina chapter president. He is currently the President of the Foundation YMCA Board and serves on the boards of Wilson Habitat for Humanity, the Wilson Economic Development Council, Wilson Forward. He is a member and serves on the board of the Wilson All-American Kiwanis Club.
He and his wife, April, have three daughters.
W.M. Wiggins was Wilson's first professional manager hired in 1933, followed by F.T. Green (1948-1955), Jack Maynard (1955-1969), T. Bruce Boyette (1969-1985), Cyrus Brooks (1985-1990), Ed Wyatt (1991-2004) and Grant Goings (2004-January 2025).
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