Deputy Town Manager Retiring After 38 Years

By Dave Vieser—When Deputy Town Manager Wayne Herron leaves Cornelius Town Hall next Monday, his final day of work, he’ll be bringing down the curtain on a 38-year career of service to local governments in North Carolina. By any measure, the 59-year-old Charlotte native has left an indelible impression on those who know him.

Prior to his 13 years in Cornelius, Herron spent two years at the Western Piedmont Council of Governments as a local assistance planner, 10 years in planning for the city of Boone and 11 years as planning director for the city of Monroe.

Herron was known to put in many extra hours in his position, especially in recent years as the list of major Cornelius projects continued to grow.

Not surprisingly, Herron says the challenges he has faced in Cornelius have been the most difficult, including coordination with agencies like the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization.

“In Boone and Monroe, I only had one major transportation project to deal with in each city,” he said. “In Cornelius, we have seven at the top of the NCDOT priority list and five more waiting in the wings. The coordination with NCDOT and CRTPO on design, funding and timing is ever-changing and nebulous. I really enjoy it, though, and that is why I have remained engaged as long as I have.”

Cornelius Town Manager Andrew Grant, who had the difficult job of finding a replacement for Herron, says the town and its residents will greatly miss him.

“We’ve really benefited from Wayne’s wealth of experience and knowledge,” said Grant. “His contributions to the town’s planning and zoning matters and major road projects are commendable, both of which will bring value to our community for decades. He has had a storied career, and Cornelius has certainly been a major part of it.”

However, it’s not just his fellow workers who will miss Herron; so will many town residents. He has been the go-to town representative on many projects, and taxpayers came to respect his dedication and availability.

“NCDOT plans to do some major work near the entrance to our homes,” said Linda Daley, who lives in the Lake Crest community near Knox Road. “Wayne was more than willing to meet with our citizens at a time of our choice and explain how this project could impact them. We were very impressed with that.”

Herron started his studies at Appalachian State University playing the French horn as a music major, but quickly shifted to planning and business.

“That’s when I realized that I wanted to serve people in some fashion,” he said. “I also had a love for the study of how places developed, so I put the two together to become a local government employee.”

On a personal level, Herron and his wife, Cindy, who live in Cowans Ford on the west side of Lake Norman, just marked 35 years of marriage.

“She has been my No. 1 supporter from day one,” said Herron. “This job has strange hours, but she has always been there and understood the need for night meetings.”

They have one daughter, Madeline, 30, who works as a children’s librarian at the Huntersville branch of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. Cindy is a retired public school teacher.

So how does his wife feel about soon having him around the house on a regular basis?

“Cindy is actually quite happy about my retirement,” said Herron. “She says there are so many things we can now focus on together, such as exercise, attending events at the Cain Center, community choir, travel and, of course, some quality family time. I think she is going to keep me busy.”

Herron said he has received some overtures regarding consulting work from municipalities, both locally and in other parts of the country, but he does not plan to relocate.

“My family enjoys the quality of life and all the wonderful people in the Lake Norman area,” he said.

He also admitted to getting sentimental as his retirement nears.

“After doing this for 38 years, one can’t help but get sentimental, but it is the right time,” he said.

Mayor Denis Bilodeau said Herron was an incredibly important part of the town’s leadership for many years, and he will be missed greatly.

“His numerous relationships and experience within the planning and transportation arena have served the town well,” said Bilodeau. “I am thankful for his hard work and dedication to our community and wish him all the best in retirement.”