HAMLET — The Seaboard City will start the new year with a new municipal administrator.
Former Aberdeen Town Planner John Terziu signed a contract on Wednesday afternoon to become the city manager for Hamlet.
Terziu, who holds a Master in Public Administration from Johns Hopkins University, will start the new job on Jan. 6 before the first meeting of 2025 on Jan. 14.
"I am honored to serve as your new city manager and look forward to working together to strengthen our vibrant community,” Terziu said in a press release issued Thursday afternoon. “My focus will be fostering economic development, improving infrastructure, and ensuring transparency in decision-making.
According to the release, Terziu has already been involved with the community by attending Hamlet’s tree-lighting ceremony and the Parade of Lights.
“I am thrilled to have John as our incoming city manager,” Mayor Amy Guinn told the RO on Thursday. “It was a unanimous vote by the city council to offer the position to him, and we anticipate great things from John.”
According to his LinkedIn page, Terziu served as planning and inspections director in Aberdeen from January 2023 until July of this year, when he started Moore Premier Consulting.
An Army veteran of more than 20 years, Terziu was in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty) and held several leadership positions in the Army Special Warfare Center, including senior instructor, battalion planner and branch chief.
“His leadership skills have been in evidence during the interview process, and he has an enthusiasm for municipalities that is obvious as well,” Guinn added. “With his previous employment in Moore County John has made connections that could be a benefit to Hamlet, and I can’t wait for him to get started in January 2025.”
Terziu is the fourth city manager for Hamlet in the past decade, following the departure of Marchell Adams-David — now city manager for Raleigh — in 2014. Marcus Abernethy held the post for more than two years, leaving in January of 2017. He went on to be the Mocksville town manager and has been a business services consultant for the N.C. League of Municipalities since 2020. Abernethy was succeeded by Jonthan Blanton, who was city manager until March of 2020, when he left to become the first administrator for the town of Ranlo in Gaston County. Blanton announced his resignation in April 2019 to take a job at UNC Charlotte as director of business affairs. However, after staying on as interim manager, he was re-hired several months later at $90,000 per year. Blanton has been the town manager for Mount Holly, also in Gaston County, since January. Matthew Christian came on board as city manager in May of 2020 and resigned this past summer. Previously town planner for Knightdale and town manager of Mount Gilead, Christian is now city manager of Archdale. Abernethy and Christian attended college together at Appalachian State University. Lane Bailey has been interim city manager since the summer and Mackenzie Webb was hired as assistant city manager in August. “Your voice matters, and I am committed to listening to your ideas and concerns as we shape our city's future,” Terziu said. “Together, we can build on Hamlet's strengths and create new opportunities for all residents. Thank you for your trust and support as we embark on this exciting journey."
