NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) -- City Manager Marcus Jones will soon be living Norfolk, in order to run the city of Charlotte, N.C.
Jones served as director of budget and grants management and assistant city manager from 2004-2009. He became City Manager in 2011, and has held that position until now.
13News Now reached out to Mayor Kenny Alexander for comment, he had this to say:
It is a testament to Norfolk that we attract hard working and visionary public administrators like Marcus who will always be sought after to manage great cities. Marcus will be leaving the second largest city in Virginia to lead the second largest city in the southeast and the third fastest growing major city in the country. Marcus has successfully led our city through unique economic and social challenges, and will leave after serving as a trusted counsel to two mayors. Norfolk achieved and continues to maintain its highest bond rating in history because of his sound fiscal management."
According to Jones' bio on the City of Norfolk website, his focus is building a well-managed government, which is a "data-driven organization that provides effective and efficient programs and services that are responsive, accountable, inclusive and customer focused."
Bryan Stephens, President of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, praised Jones' as a visionary who brought major economic projects to the city.
"He is a man of tremendous vision and he had a vision of where he thought the City of Norfolk should go," said Stephens. "He was leading the efforts to get us there, as evidenced by the many new projects going up in Norfolk."
Jones will become Charlotte City Manager effective December 1st. He will become the city's first African American manager, according to The Charlotte Observer.
The City of Norfolk will now begin its search for a new city manager.
WCNC Charlotte contributed to this report.