Bryan Steen to continue as Valdese interim manager with reduced hours

Valdese Interim Town Manager Bryan Steen will stay around longer as the town looks for a permanent manager. 

Coming out of a closed session on Monday, June 17, the council approved a contract amendment regarding the timing of Steen’s resignation. His original resignation letter submitted on May 14 listed his last day as Friday, June 28. He had recommended Assistant Manager/CFO Bo Weichel to fill the vacancy temporarily, but this has changed. 

Steen will stay on board, on a reduced schedule, until a replacement is hired.

His original contract required that he give a 30-day written notice of his resignation. He agreed to stay in the post beyond June 28 as long as his contract was amended to reduce the required notice time to 24 hours.

Executive search firm Baker Tilly is helping Valdese with the hiring process.

In the meantime, Steen will continue with interim duties with the assistance of Assistant Manager/CFO Bo Weichel until a permanent town manager is hired. The council is currently interviewing three applicants, out of a total of 88 applications from across the country. 

Seated in the council chambers, Steen said he will reduce his work schedule to 20 to 25 hours per week beginning in July. His reduced hours are to comply with the state retirement system guidelines to retain his current retirement pension. He anticipates Weichel will assist more often with Steen’s interim roles with his reduced hours. 

After the final adoption of the fiscal 2024-25 budget, the summer tends to be less busy for the town. 

“The budget is adopted, praise God! Thank you and hallelujah!” Steen said with a chuckle. “Things are coming along…Usually July and August, there are not many things happening. Let’s hope we don’t see a tornado or a hurricane.” 

He predicts that his last day will be Friday, Aug. 23.

During the Monday meeting, Councilman Glenn Harvey said he hopes to have a new town manager in place by the council's next regular meeting on Aug. 5.

Saydie Bean is a general assignment reporter for The Paper. She may be reached at 828-445-8595, ext. 2011, or saydie@thepaper.media.