THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 30, 1996 TAG: 9608300508
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 65 lines
William E. Harrell, assistant city manager for development and the interim economic development director, is resigning after a decade in government here to become assistant city manager in Greensboro.
Harrell will begin his new position on Oct. 1.
``This is clearly a bittersweet occasion for me,'' said Harrell, 34, a native of Chesapeake. ``I have friends in professional organizations I'll sorely miss. I am appreciative to the city of Suffolk for allowing me to grow and progress.''
In April, Greensboro officials conducted a national search to fill their position, which includes handling utilities, sports and entertainment facilities, and employee relations. Harrell beat out 174 candidates for the position, said Greensboro Personnel Director Larry Kerr.
One of Harrell's top priorities on his new job will be marketing the Greensboro Coliseum.
``He has had great success in his career in Suffolk and should be a fine addition to our management team,'' said Greensboro City Manager Ed Kitchen.
Suffolk City Manager Myles E. Standish said he hasn't decided how he'll fill Harrell's position, but said he regretted losing him. The economic development director, Thomas N. Waller, was asked to resign last month by Harrell and Personnel Director Marie A. Dodson.
The city is conducting a national search to replace Waller.
The absence of both Harrell and Waller means a temporary void in the city's economic development efforts. Both officials have been instrumental in the rapidly growing city's long-range comprehensive planning as well as in attracting commercial and business ventures.
``William Harrell has been one of the most outstanding professionals with whom I've ever worked,'' said Standish. ``It's going to be very, very difficult to recruit someone of his caliber to take over his duties and responsibilities.''
Harrell said salary was one factor in his decision to move. In Suffolk, Harrell made $62,500. He'll be earning $84,000, which includes car allowance and other benefits, in Greensboro.
Standish explained that bigger cities can afford to pay better.
``Suffolk doesn't have a 220,000 population like Greensboro. We can only be as competitive as we can with the budget constraints we have,'' Standish said.
Ten years ago, Harrell began his career as an administrative analyst in Suffolk's department of management services. He rose to senior analyst and then director of the department. In 1990, Harrell became the city's utilities director, coordinating the acquisition of a new water source that doubled the utility's safe supply.
Last year, Standish named him assistant city manager for development. One of Harrell's accomplishments in that job was negotiating Suffolk's participation in the $4.5 illion Hampton Roads Sanitation District force main project which runs along U.S. Route 460.
In March, Harrell was named outstanding public administrator in Hampton Roads by the Society for Public Administration.
Harrell is married to Johnna and has a daughter, Charity Majette.
Councilman S. Chris Jones, who as mayor worked closely with Harrell, said Harrell helped the utility department during a period in which it needed strengthening.
``He's handled various projects in an exemplary manner,'' Jones said. ``It's the city's loss.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
William E. Harrell, 34, will become assistant city manager in his
new position on Oct. 1. by CNB