SALISBURY — Former Carrboro Town Manager Richard J. White III realized public service was his true calling when he ran for class president in the third grade. Eventually, his enthusiasm led him to Salisbury where he just became the city’s first ever deputy city manager.

“I’ve always had an interest in government, how it works, how it functions, and always kind of felt that local government was where the rubber meets the road. That’s where the real work happens in terms of being close to residents,” White said. “I’m thrilled and excited to have been selected for the opportunity. It’s the first time we’ve had a deputy city manager, so certainly I tend to do all I can to make sure it’s a position that works well for the city, that there’s an impact and some benefits of having the role.”

Eight months ago, City Manager Jim Greene reclassified the vacant assistant city manager position into the deputy city manager, which he says has more authority and influence. After a national search, Greene said White was the “clear choice” for the job, stating he is an “outstanding local government leader” and that Salisbury will thrive from his presence.

White will be working with Greene and the city council on implementing Salisbury’s vision and goals. He plans on collaborating with city staff to ensure everyone is capable in accomplishing those goals and is going to oversee the planning and neighborhoods, parks and recreation, public works, transit, transportation and land and development services departments.

White was born and raised in Asheville and received his BA in political science from UNC Chapel Hill, where he was a Morehead-Cain Scholar and N.C. Fellow. After graduation, White found himself in the insurance business and in education before he attended N.C. State to get his MPA. In over 25 years, White has local government experience in both big and small cities like Charlotte, Elon, Carrboro and Athens, Georgia.

White was announced as the new deputy back in August, but only officially started on Nov. 6. He says that he has been “highly welcomed” by the staff and residents of Salisbury and hopes to meet with as many people as he can in the coming weeks and months. Currently, White is learning how the city operates so he can do his best as deputy city manager. That comprises of becoming more familiar with departments and their responsibilities as well as projects that include the Kesler Mill, housing strategies and the Main Street streetscape.

“There are a number of things going on, so my role is to understand what those projects are and how I can get involved, to add value in terms of leadership and management, helping move those projects forward,” White said.

White was made aware of the job opening when he saw an ad for it and the more he read about it, the more it made him want to apply.

“That description of the job and this community spoke to me. Two things in particular, two lines that I saw, one was, ‘Elevate Salisbury’ and the other one was, ‘Be the Difference.’ Both of those lines spoke to me. I looked at the job, what was being requested in terms of the skill set, what was talked about in terms of the community and where it’s going. Try to prepare for the growth and development coming out of Charlotte, having a new comprehensive plan, all of those things spoke to me,” White said.

When it comes to the challenges and obstacles that he will inherently have to face as deputy city manager, White is ready to take everything in stride. He recognizes evolving technology, policing and inclusion as noteworthy subjects that will shape not only Salisbury’s future, but the country’s. After years of being in local government, White understands the big picture of what he does and feels the fervor that he caught as a third grader is why he is the perfect person to be Salisbury’s deputy city manager.

“A passion for local government, for service, for trying to help move things forward, for trying to be impactful. Trying to bring some creativity to the table, some innovation. Just because we’ve always done it that way doesn’t mean we have to keep doing that way. To be able to evolve and change, to know what’s needed for the day and how do we help meet that and address that need. I think that’s what I bring to the table,” White said.