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AHOSKIE – For the first time in 19 months, Ahoskie will have the services of a full-time town manager.

John Moses was formally introduced as the new Ahoskie Manager during Tuesday’s regularly scheduled meeting of the town council.

Moses, who has served as Finance Director of the Mid-East Commission since October 2022, has been assisting Ahoskie officials since April in helping prepare their new fiscal year budget. In the meantime, the town has been searching for a manager and has conducted several interviews with potential candidates.

Following a closed session to discuss personnel at a special meeting held June 5, the Ahoskie Council voted unanimously to make an offer to Moses to become the new town manager.

“What drew me to the role of town manager was the genuine passion I saw in the people already working for the town,” Moses said in a statement to the News-Herald. “Their dedication was both admirable and motivating.”

Moses, who has 25-plus years of experience driving financial health and operational excellence across government, healthcare, education, and private enterprise, said he has a proven track record in budgeting, investment management, financial reporting, and business development.

“I bring to the role of town manager extensive experience in finance and operational leadership, and I’m confident in my ability to establish and achieve meaningful goals,” he said. “At the same time, I value working in a positive environment. I seek out colleagues who uplift one another and share a common vision. That is precisely what I saw in the Mayor, the Town Council, the Finance Director, and the HR Director. Their professionalism and sense of purpose confirmed for me that this was the right opportunity and the right team to join.”

Moses will begin his new duties in Ahoskie on June 23.

“We’re very excited to have John as our town manager. He comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and is highly expertised in finance. He will provide exemplary leadership and we look forward to having him here,” said Ahoskie Mayor Weyling White.

Moses, age 50, has previous work experience as the CEO of a medical clinic in Oregon, as the business manager of educational venue in Oregon, operations manager of a business consulting firm in North Carolina and Georgia, and operations manager of a medical billing company in North Carolina.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics from East Carolina University and a Master of Science in Finance from Webster University.

A native of Chattanooga Tennessee, Moses said he spent much of his life relocating, both as a child and an adult.

“Yet through all those moves, my heart has always remained in Eastern North Carolina,” Moses said. “I earned my degree from East Carolina University, where my love for this state only deepened. North Carolina has played a defining role in my life, and I hope to call it home permanently.”

He and his wife, Melissa (a North Carolina native) have a daughter, Harley, currently a senior at ECU and will graduate in December with a degree in marketing.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as the next Town Manager of Ahoskie and am eager to begin working collaboratively to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. I am confident that, together, we can help foster continued growth and progress for the town in the years to come,” Moses said.

Ahoskie has been without a permanent manager since Leigh Etheridge resigned in November of 2023. That led to Ahoskie Town Clerk Jennifer Bracy being named as the Interim Acting Town Manager. She served in the dual capacity until her resignation in early August of last year. The town council then appointed Ahoskie Police Chief Michele Garrett as Interim Town Manager. She has served in both capacities since mid August of last year and the effort she put in did not go unnoticed by the Ahoskie Town Council.

“Thank you for helping with our managerial work,” said Councilman David Hunt. “You made sure that this town was run properly for the past year. I can’t say thank you enough for all of your hard work and dedication.”

“We thank you for stepping up to the plate,” stressed Councilman Roy Sharpe. “You displayed a lot of courage and boldness. We appreciate for what you did for this town.”

“We appreciate your service. It took a special person to do what you did, balancing the town manager’s position along with being our police chief. I tip my hat to you,” stated Mayor White.

“I’m grateful to God and thankful that the mayor and the town council trusted me to get the work done in a job I’ve never done before. I appreciate all the staff for working with me,” said Garrett.