Morganton's assistant manager Sonja Marston to retire after a decade of service

Assistant City Manager Sonja Marston has announced her retirement after a decade of service to the City of Morganton. Current Special Projects Manager Rob Winkler is stepping into the role, starting Nov. 1.

Marston started working for the city in 2015 after working in the commercial banking and community college sector, once serving as the Dean of Workforce and Economic Development for Southwestern Community College in Sylva. She has helped bring several projects to fruition, including the development of Murphy’s Farm Apartments, the design of the Historic Burke County Courthouse Square renovations, development of the Exit 105 connector road (Albert Tron Boulevard), and recruitment of LongHorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden, and Downtown Marriott Fairfield Inn.

“For the past 10 years, I have thoroughly enjoyed serving my community and helping Morganton grow and flourish. I have experienced first-hand how much the City of Morganton employees care about this community and put their whole heart into what they do,” Marston said.

She added, “It makes me extremely proud to be a part of this organization. I know that the city will only continue to thrive and move forward in whatever they put their minds toward. I love my community, my work family and wish them nothing but the best in all they do.”

Through her role, Marston helped the city work through two challenging times, the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Helene. Both situations, she said, required the ability to adapt, which she said is an important aspect of the role of assistant city manager.

“During COVID, when the building was closed down to the public, we would actually go out and get payments out of the drive-through lane because it was so busy down there, so you have to be flexible,” Marston said.

After Hurricane Helene, Marston worked with small businesses and connected them to the Small Business Administration and other state organizations to access loans and grants. Her community involvement also includes having served as a member of the Morganton Rotary Club, the Burke County Housing Study Committee, and Greenway Transportation Committee. She also worked on the Downtown Master Plan, Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and helped with the Reimagining Broughton Project.

Marston graduated from the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Government in its Municipal and County Administration Program and the Development and Finance Program. She also participated in the Burke County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Burke Program and Community Development Academy.

So, what’s next for Marston during retirement? “Travel, travel, travel,” she said, adding that she already has two visits to Hilton Head and Boone planned. But she said she won’t be a stranger to her work family at city hall.

“I love my work family. They are truly a family to me. I have developed great friendships here, and I will miss them,” Marston said.

Winkler will step into his new position on Nov. 1 to receive training from Marston before she officially retires on Dec. 1.

“I’m so happy for him, and I have been working with him to help him understand what I do,” Marston said. “But he is so smart. He will not have any problem doing everything that I do, and he’s also personable.”

Winkler began his career with the city in 1996 with the Parks and Recreation Department. In 2016, he returned to the city as the director of Parks and Recreation. In 2022, he was promoted to Special Projects Manager/ARPA, where he worked in the executive division.

“Working with Sonja all these years has been a true honor,” Winkler stated. “She has built a foundation and remarkable standard to follow. She has been a mentor, a role model, and a trusted colleague to many of us, and she will be missed by everyone in the city. I look forward to continuing the service that she brought to our community.”

City Manager Sally Sandy said, “It’s hard to put into words what Sonja means to this organization, to our city, and the region. Her dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to public service have been something extraordinary to witness. On behalf of the entire city, I want to thank Sonja for her service and the many accomplishments achieved during her time here. She will be deeply missed — both professionally and personally. We are fortunate that Rob is willing to step into the position in which Sonja has excelled. Rob is committed to continuity of leading the city forward as we rebuild and prosper in the aftermath of Helene.”