Since County Manager Gary Page took over the helm in early 2010, Page has been instrumental in the construction of several county owned buildings and has navigated the county’s budget process each year.
But Page said he expects to retire in 2014 and the commissioners will be charged with finding a new captain.
Page spearheaded the county’s efforts to build a new jail annex in 2011 and was crucial in the Salisbury Mall purchase last year.
During an interview with the Post in December, Page said he planned to leave the top post around early October.
“I won’t be here to help see it through,” Page said of the mall.
Still, some county officials said commissioners could be interested in bringing Page on after retirement to help with the implementation of county departments at the mall.
Before coming to Rowan County, Page gained 25 years of county managerial experience in counties across the state, including Stanly and Wilkes counties. In the early ‘90s, Page helped spur efforts to purchase a mall in Stanly County that was rehabbed into space for county departments.

Job title: County Manager
Age: 58
Address: Salisbury
If you won millions in the lottery, what would you do? Ask my wife if she would like to retire.
Favorite TV show? The Andy Griffith Show.
Who should play you in a movie? Richard Dreyfuss.
What would you choose for your last meal? Low-country boil.
Who will you watch in 2014? Appalachian State.
Biggest challenge in 2014? Balancing the county budget.
Biggest hope for 2014? World Peace.
Reaction to making the list? In an email, Page wrote: “Good grief!!, Charlie Brown.”