Meet Sean Stegall, Cary’s New Town Manager
Cary, NC – After nearly a year of looking for a new town manager, the Cary Town Council announced Thursday, May 26, 2016 that it had hired Sean R. Stegall to the position.
Work in Past Cities
Stegall is the city manager for Elgin, Illinois, which has a population of more than 110,000 as of 2013. During his time there, Stegall worked with city technology experts to turn Elgin into what he called a “smart city.”
“My definition for a smart city is using technology and related tools to connect citizens and town employees to one another to provide service models that are more effective,” Stegall said. “It’s about improving that relationship.”
Part of Cary’s latest proposed budget includes funding for better communication between departments and Stegall said the town is already on the way to being a “smart city.”
“Cary is far along in its technology efforts and its talent portfolio,” he said.
Impressions of Cary
While Stegall is from Illinois, he has family on North Carolina’s coast and visited Cary before the town manager job search began.
“I got a great sense of place,” he said. “It has meticulous attention to detail and quality of life.”
Coming into his position, Stegall said Cary has numerous strengths, including its high-quality town staff and its reputation among businesses and around the country.
“Cary has a visionary town council that takes its role as stewards very seriously,” he said.
As for obstacles and areas for improvement Cary faces in the future, Stegall said he will have a better idea when he comes into the office.
“But generally, there is always opportunity for additional business retention and expansion as society continues to change,” he said.
Stegall starts his position Thursday, August 4, 2016. Interim Town Manager Mike Bajorek will remain in his position until then.
Story by Michael Papich. Photo of Mr. Stegall courtesy of Town of Cary. Town Hall file photo by Hal Goodtree.
