The Pender County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Colby W. Sawyer, MPA CEM, as the next County Manager for Pender County. The Board selected Mr. Sawyer for the position following a highly competitive, multi-phased assessment process. Starting in this position on December 1st, 2025, Sawyer brings a strong commitment to public service, a record of accomplishments and collaborative leadership in local government and emergency services, and a passion for helping communities thrive.

Sawyer joins Pender County from his current role as Director of Communications and Emergency Management with the Town of Pittsboro, a rapidly growing community in Central North Carolina. As a member of the Town’s senior leadership team, he planned, supported, and implemented programs to increase civic engagement, reduce Town employment vacancies to less than five percent, streamline Board procedures and agenda preparation, and directly wrote more than $20 million in grants for infrastructure, connectivity and transportation projects, cybersecurity and resilience, community and historic preservation, and economic development. Colby also brings experience in managing utilities capacity and contamination issues, and emergency services, emergency management, communications, and transportation issues through his current and former roles, which include Chatham County, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and the private sector, among others.

Colby holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Psychology and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Coastal Management and Planning from UNC Wilmington and is a graduate of Basic Law Enforcement Training at Brunswick Community College. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his professionalism and abilities, including being named a “40 Under 40 Award” winner by the International Association of Emergency Managers in 2024, being conferred the designation of Certified Emergency Manager in 2022, and was named a 2020 Partner of the Year by the Chatham County Health Department.

• As one of North Carolina’s most dynamic and fast-growing counties, Pender County is entering an important period of opportunity. Sawyer’s experience positions him to support and advance several key priorities, including:
• Building a resilient and prepared county, drawing on his extensive background in emergency management, storm readiness, and long-term recovery;
• Guiding responsible growth and infrastructure investment, informed by his experience with capital projects, utilities, and community planning;
• Strengthening communication and community engagement, an area where Sawyer has consistently elevated transparency, accessibility, and resident involvement;
• Promoting economic vitality, with a focus on supporting local businesses, enhancing quality of life, and maintaining the unique character of Pender County’s coastal and rural communities.

"We are thrilled to welcome Colby Sawyer as Pender County’s new County Manager," said Pender County Board of Commissioners Chairman W. Randy Burton. "Mr. Sawyer’s steady leadership, clear communication, and thoughtful problem-solving make him the ideal leader as we continue our service to the citizens of Pender County. We are excited to work alongside him, his guidance will help ensure our county remains resilient, economically strong, and committed to the prosperity and well-being for everyone who lives and works in Pender County."

Sawyer expressed enthusiasm and gratitude for the opportunity to serve Pender County, saying, “I am very thankful to the Board and the community in Pender County for placing trust in me. I am excited to work alongside the Board, staff, residents, business owners, and stakeholders who are already working daily to make Pender County the wonderful place that it is. Through collaborative governance, a commitment to service, community, and civility, and a people-first mindset and culture, we will sustain and expand on those things that make us special, while building a community that is more resilient, remains economically strong, and is steadfastly focused on community.”

During his first weeks, Sawyer looks forward to meeting with staff, partners, and community members across the County as part of a thoughtful, relationship-focused transition process.