Assistant Town Manager and Community Services Director Matt Efird was recently awarded Assistant Municipal Manager of the Year by the state’s management association.

The award from the North Carolina City & County Management Association recognizes Efird for his outstanding contributions to the town in 2025, including: 

• The town’s emergency management response for Tropical Storm Chantal.
• Leadership in quickly assembling a grant application in two days that resulted in a $1 million award to convert the town’s water treatment plant to a safer disinfection system.
• Responsiveness to the community, customers and elected officials.
• Engagement and mentoring students and young professionals interested in careers in public administration.

Efird’s work in responding to last July’s flooding included:

• Serving as operations chief and helping coordinate the response to many water and sewer operations issues.
• Quickly leading and coordinating the replacement of public works vehicles and a temporary location for public works operations.
• Leading the process to apply for reimbursements through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s public assistance program.

“Matt had one of the most successful years that I’ve seen any local government employee have during my career,” Town Manager Eric Peterson said. “His efforts during and after Tropical Storm Chantal have helped the town recover millions of dollars. Matt has been a pillar of professionalism, selfless in his focus and dedication to the organization and entire community, and a thoroughly enjoyable person to work with during such challenging times.” 

The award honors outstanding assistant managers from the association’s member jurisdictions. The organization’s executive committee created the award to recognize assistant managers who play important roles in the operation of their local government.

In addition to his role as assistant town manager, Efird leads the town’s community services department, which oversees many external town operations that affect the daily lives of residents. Staff members in the department also manage the town’s: 

• Comprehensive sustainability plan
• Unified development ordinance
• Major facilities projects
• Regional transportation planning
• Affordable housing efforts
• Engineering and construction inspection

Efird graduated from Stetson University with a bachelor’s degree in finance and from the University of Central Florida with a master’s degree in public administration. He has completed the Public Executive Leadership Academy at the University of North Carolina School of Government. Additionally, he earned the credentialed manager designation from the International City/County Management Association in 2025.