Morganton's Sally Sandy named statewide Manager of the Year

Morganton City Manager Sally Sandy has been named the North Carolina City and County Management Association’s Manager of the Year for large communities, an honor given by her peers for steady leadership through some of the city’s most complex challenges, including the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

At NCCCMA’s annual winter meeting in Winston-Salem on Thursday, Jan. 29, Sandy said she was surprised to hear the announcement. This year was the first year that the awards were divided among large and small local governments.

Sandy took the title for the state’s large organizations with populations of over 10,000. Jonathan Russell, the city manager of Washington, was recognized for the small jurisdiction.

“During a period marked by significant loss of property, businesses, and critical infrastructure, she provided steady, decisive leadership to staff, the community, and elected officials,” city staff wrote in the nomination letter to NCCCMA Executive Director Rob Shepherd.

Sandy reached her 33-year milestone with the city on Sunday, Feb. 8, having served as city manager for 28 of those years. She started her work as finance director for the city in 1993, after working for the Local Government Commission within the North Carolina State Treasurer’s Office, where she advised finance officers and managers from local governments throughout the state.

She brought that experience to Morganton, where little did she know, she would serve out the rest of her career, and where she would become the city’s first female manager. It’s a position that she said she never thought she would have, and every day she learns something new.

However, she doesn’t attribute her recognition to herself, but instead to the staff she works with. City Councilwoman Wendy Cato, who wrote a letter of support for Sandy’s nomination, began working with Sandy in the 1990s when she was working part-time for Morganton’s Main Street Office.

“I’ve watched her leadership for a very long time. Her title is City Manager, but what she is a team builder,” Cato said. “Yes, she does manage the fiscal planning, but her success comes in her team building, and her fiscal background.”

Sandy’s fiscal background is also a large part of what has made the city strong through challenging times, Cato said.

Former Mayor Mel Cohen, who worked with Sandy for about two decades, shared a similar sentiment, praising her financial knowledge.

“She’s got a phenomenal business background, and was an unbelievably smart finance director,” Cohen said.

Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Paper.