Pender County Manager David Andrews announces retirement

Pender County, NC – Pender County Manager David Andrews is retiring after 33 years in local government. Andrews announced his plan to retire in a letter to the Board of Commissioners. His retirement will be effective March 1, 2024.

Andrews is from Texas. He began his career as a finance director in the City of South Tucson in 1990.

He joined the Pender County government in September of 2022.

During his tenure at Pender County, he has been instrumental in Pender County’s approach to employee hiring, recruitment, and retention. He has reduced turnover, increased retention, and added new positions. He has also been very active in capital investment projects, including the acquisition of land for implementation of the Pender County Schools $178 million school bond project, which will provide much-needed schools for the growing community. He has been instrumental in the design and permitting phases for a new criminal justice center and the new Health and Human Services Building, which will house the Health Department and the Department of Social Services. With more people moving to the area, he helped move water projects forward, including the land purchase for a new Membrane Water Treatment Plant. Construction of the Scotts Hill water tower will be completed within the next few months. In addition, he also began work on projects that improved the area, including a new Hampstead Library, Central Pender Park, Abbey Nature Preserve Park, and much more.

Andrews says he loves Pender County and plans to stay in the area after he retires.

In a letter to the Board of Commissioners, Andrews says he wants to thank the County Commissioners and the County staff for their confidence in him and their support and collaboration.

In the letter, Andrews also stated that he is committed to ensuring a smooth transition by assisting in the handover process, completing ongoing projects, and providing any necessary assistance during his notice period.

In a statement, Chairman Brad George said, “On behalf of the citizens of Pender County and the Pender Board of Commissioners, I would like to congratulate Andrews on announcing his retirement. During his tenure with Pender, his leadership has been instrumental in advancing the county to the next level. We wish him well on his next adventure. The search for a new county manager will start immediately.”

Update: Andrews plans to retire June 30, 2024.