CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – Mecklenburg County Executive Dena R. Diori has announced her resignation.
Diorio’s last day of work will be July 1, 2015, ending her 12-year tenure as the county’s first female county manager.
(Previous reporting: “Excited” says the new manager of Mecklenburg Co. about the contract win)
“It has been the honor of my life to serve the residents and employees of Mecklenburg County,” Diorio said in a news release about her retirement. “When I took on this role, I wanted to make sure the county was always at the table to discuss problems, find solutions and improve the lives of our residents. I have always believed that in order to serve our community, we had to be bold and have a vision of how things could be. We had to see what was possible and how we could best help people.”
She began serving as Mecklenburg County’s chief financial officer in 2007 and helped the county maintain its AAA credit rating during the Great Recession in 2008.
During his more than 12 years in office, Diorio has launched the MECK PreK program, opened two community resource centers, partnered with the Community Land Trust to rehabilitate and protect 32 homes to ensure they remain permanently affordable, and spearheaded the county’s efforts to prioritize sustainable building and fleet initiatives and protect and expand green spaces.
Diorio was a key member of North Carolina government leadership in ensuring that Mecklenburg County received funds from the National Opioid Settlement for 18 years.
“My goal was to leave Mecklenburg County in better shape than I found it, and I believe I’ve accomplished that,” Diorio said. “When I became county manager, a national study showed we were 50 out of 50 in economic mobility. Now we’re 38 out of 50. I know the county has made a great effort to do its part to keep things moving in the right direction.”
Numerous organizations have recognized Diorio for her leadership. Awards include Public Policy Leader of the Year from the National Association of Women Business Owners, Leadership in Action Award from Career Mastered, one of the Mecklenburg Times’ 50 Most Influential Women, Charlotte Business Journal’s Most Admired CEO, Queens University’s Businesswoman of the Year, and the first woman from the public sector to receive this honor.
For her thoughtful leadership critical to supporting the black community, she was awarded the prestigious Whitney M. Young Jr. Award by the Urban League of Central Carolinas.
(Mecklenburg County’s $1.99 billion budget addresses racial disparities)
She received the Charlotte Museum of History’s Gem Award for her help in saving and revitalizing the county’s last remaining Siloam School, which was built to educate black children. Diorio was also recognized this year for her work supporting former prisoners.
County Commission Chairman George Dunlap said the board will appoint a search committee and begin the search for a new manager.
“Dena is a visionary and Mecklenburg County has changed under her leadership. I am sad that this day has come, but she has earned this time and I wish her and her husband the best. I know we will find a new county manager,” Dunlap said. “But there will only be one Dena.”
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