What is your background? What was your job before you came to Pittsboro? Urban planning is my background, so most of my career has been focused on land development. … [After] 3 ½ years [working for the Town of Southern Pines], I was promoted to assistant town manager and community development director. I served in that capacity for about four years before coming here.
WHO’S WHO
IN TOWN & COUNTY GOVERNMENT WE ASKED PITTSBORO TOWN MANAGER CHRIS KENNEDY ABOUT HIS FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB AND WHAT HE SEES IN THE TOWN’S FUTURE
C
BY RENEE AMBROSO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
22
CHATHAM MAGAZINE
WINTER 2021-2022
and his wife, moved from Southern Pines to Pittsboro last summer when he began working as town manager. They live with their 4-month-old daughter, Annie, dachshund-German shepherd mix, Mollie, and black lab, Maddux. hris Kennedy
Emily Kennedy,
What were your first experiences in Pittsboro? I was a delegate from Southern Pines [on the board of Triangle Area Rural Planning Organization] and served as vice chairman. We would split meetings between Sanford and Pittsboro. I would come up to Pittsboro and go to the old [agriculture] center right here at the traffic circle. … I would power through the meeting and go to S&T’s [Soda Shoppe], and that became my habit. … That was my introduction [to Pittsboro]. The night I got sworn in as manager, my parents came and my wife was here. We went and celebrated at S&T’s. It seemed appropriate. How has your family adjusted to the move? It’s hard to pick up and leave friends, but you know [town] managers can’t really work remotely. Emily grew to love [Southern Pines] and made good friends there, so we’re looking forward to doing the same thing here. It has been hard with the pandemic because there [are] fewer events to get out and about – and then [having] a small child as well. … I do feel like I’m part of the community, and I try to do what I can – I try to eat lunch every day at a different downtown