L-R: Harley Masters, Jeff Harding, Vern Grindstaff, Allen Cook, Steve Pitman and Brandon Pittman. Officials have approved Cook as the new county manager.
The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners during its regular meeting this past week confirmed Bakersville resident Allen Cook as the county’s newest manager.
Cook takes over for Lloyd Hise, who has been serving in an interim capacity since the retirement of the previous manager Tim Greene on Dec. 31, 2021. Cook starts in the position on April 4.
Cook holds a pair of bachelor’s degrees from North Carolina State University— one in business management and another in animal science.
He also has a diverse background in helping the county.
From 1999 to 2008, he worked at the NC Employment Security Commission (ESC). As an agricultural employment consultant, he helped farmers procure legal migrant and seasonal labor.
When out of harvest season, he spent time at the Mitchell ESC office where he helped locals affected by plant layoffs.
He’s also made significant contributions to the community via Mayland Community College. From 2008 to 2015, he was Mayland’s career development facilitator and program manager under the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act.
In that position, he helped dislocated workers build career readiness.
In 2015, he began work as Mayland’s Small Business Center director. In that role, he worked with business owners and startups in the tri-counties and counseled them on best practices to grow and sustain their businesses.
He will leave his role at Mayland to take the manager job.
“I am very excited to have the opportunity to serve the citizens of Mitchell County,” Cook said. “I count it an honor to work on behalf of the commissioners and the top-notch folks employed in our county departments.”
In terms of plans and goals? Cook already has ideas.
“There are some impactful projects in the works,” he said. “Having the opportunity to work with the commission board on initiatives that will benefit our future generations is really exciting.”