Cary Council Votes Unanimously to Make Overton Cary's 12th Town Manager

• Following a unanimous vote at the end of tonight's regular meeting, the Cary Town Council swore in Russ Overton as Cary's fully vested Town Manager.
• Overton, a licensed professional engineer and ICMA Credentialed Manager, brings nearly 30 years of Cary service to the Town Manager role. He has served as Cary's Interim Town Manager for the last 10 months.
• As Town Manager, Overton will lead Cary's operations and staff with a focus on excellent service, continuous improvement, and Cary's future.

CARY, NC - Russ Overton was officially sworn in as Town Manager of Cary, North Carolina, during the October 22 regular Council meeting following a unanimous vote from the Council to appoint him to this role. The ceremony took place in Town Hall Council Chambers at the end of the evening. Formerly Cary's Deputy Town Manager, Overton has been serving as Interim Town Manager since December 15, 2025.

"Russ has shown incredible leadership, stability, humility, and responsibility in the 10 months that he's served as Interim Town Manager," said Mayor Harold Weinbrecht. "As a steadfast anchor, he knows Cary, its people, and its needs, and he is taking on the role with a clear vision for Cary's future."

Overton's swearing-in begins the tenure of Cary's 12th Town Manager since the council-manager form of government was adopted in 1961. One of three positions appointed by the Town Council, the Town Manager reports directly to Council and oversees all Town operations and staff, with the exception of the Town Clerk and Town Attorney, the other two positions appointed by Council.

"Cary has always believed that excellent service means we keep learning, adapting, and looking ahead. I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue that work alongside the people who make this community what it is," said Overton.

Overton has helped build Cary through almost 30 years of service to the Town. He joined the organization in 1998 as an engineer and was promoted to several leadership roles, including Director of Inspections & Permits. During his decades of service, Overton managed several major Town projects including the construction of the USA Baseball National Training Complex. He became Assistant Town Manager in 2013 and Deputy Town Manager and Chief Operating Officer in 2017.

He holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from North Carolina State University and is a licensed Professional Engineer. He is a graduate of several leadership programs, including the UNC School of Government's Municipal and County Administration Course and the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard Kennedy School. Overton is an ICMA Credentialed Manager and a member of both the International City/County Management Association and the North Carolina City and County Management Association.

Overton, a native of eastern North Carolina, and his wife, Kristy, have three daughters. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, fishing at the North Carolina coast, the occasional round of golf, and caring for what he calls "too many animals to name" at their micro-farm.