The City of Gastonia operates under the Council-Manager form of government in which a professionally trained City Manager is appointed by the City Council to serve as the Chief Administrative Officer for city government and to manage the day-to-day operations of the overall municipal organization. Based upon goals and objectives adopted and policies and directives expressed by the elected Mayor and City Council, the City Manager is responsible for providing the effective management, supervision and leadership to city staff necessary for the cost effective delivery of public services. The City Manager must consistently monitor and evaluate the City's overall progress in meeting its stated goals and objectives and offer recommendations for improvement whenever necessary to achieve maximum results on behalf of City residents and taxpayers. The hallmark of the Council-Manager form of government, as embodied in its appointed Manager, is the commitment to bring creativity, innovation and professionalism to the organization and management of local government function in order to best serve the needs of the community, to fully uphold the laws and regulations of the City and protect and preserve the rights and property of all citizens.
Biography
Mr. Michael C. Peoples has over 22 years of experience in local government management and has served the City of Gastonia as Director of Enterprise Services from 2015 to 2016, Assistant City Manager of Operations from 2016 to 2017, and was appointed City Manager April 1, 2017. Michael previously served as Town Manager for the Town of Cramerton from 2005 to 2015 and as Town Administrator in Grifton, NC from 2000 to 2005. Mr. Peoples graduated from Western Carolina University in 1998 with a B.S. in History and a B.S. in Political Science and then from Appalachian State University in 2000 with a Master Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Town, City, and County Management. He has also completed the UNC School of Government’s Municipal Administration Course, Effective Management Course, the Public Executive Leadership Academy, the ICMA Williamsburg Leadership Academy, and the ICMA Gettysburg Leadership Institute.
Mr. Peoples is a member of the International City and County Management Association where he has achieved the Credentialed Manager status, the current President of the NC City and County Management Association, Past President of the Appalachian State University Local Government Alumni Association, and a member of the NC League of Municipalities Legislative Action Committee. Michael was also awarded the 2014 Harley B. Gaston, Jr. Public Service Award from the Montcross Area Chamber of Commerce.
He is from the Iredell/Alexander County area and is married to Jamie who is Principal at Forestview High School and they have two children, Bryson and Tucker. Michael enjoys coaching youth athletics, playing golf, watching sports, listing to music of all genres, and spending time with family and friends.
