CARY, NC – North Carolina’s seventh largest community has a new Town Manager. Ben Shivar was named to the post by the Cary Town Council and sworn in at their regular meeting tonight.  Shivar, 57, has worked in North Carolina local government for over 32 years, the past 13 of which as the Assistant Town Manager for the Town of Cary .  He has been serving as Cary ’s Interim Town Manager since Bill Coleman retired in October.

“Ben has been doing a fantastic job for the Town as Interim, and we’re all very happy that he’ll be continuing to work with us, especially given the challenges we’re facing during these tough economic times,” said Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht.  “The community respects him; the staff supports him; and the Council has every confidence in him.”

“Being asked to lead our excellent staff and this organization is a tremendous honor, and I’m grateful for the opportunity,” said Shivar.  “ Cary is a great community to live in, and I’m looking forward to working with the staff and Council to achieve Council’s vision for it.”

Shivar was selected as part of a national search that drew 70 applicants from as far away as Alaska, California, Washington, Nevada, Texas, and Michigan.  Two consulting firms worked with the Council in January to narrow the field, and four candidates participated in two days of assessment exercises in February.  The Council interviewed two finalists yesterday and announced their decision moments ago in open session.

“The process we used, much of which was ‘blind’, confirmed that Ben truly is the best of the best.  He has the Council’s unanimous support,” added Weinbrecht.

Prior to coming to Cary , Shivar served as the Chatham County manager for six years and as the Town Manager of Siler City for eight years. He began his career with the Town of Greenville, NC, holding the positions of planner, Director of Community Development, and Assistant to the Manager over a span of five years. 

A native of Charlotte , NC , Shivar has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a Master of Public Affairs degree from North Carolina State University .  Over the years, his community service has included the Cary Rotary Club, the United Way and the Boy Scouts of America.  He and his wife, Laura – a public school teacher -- attend Apex United Methodist Church and are the parents of two adult daughters, Kate and Lindsay.

###

MEDIA NOTE:  “Shivar” is pronounced /shahy ‘ vur/, (long I, emphasis on first syllable).