Rutherford Commissioners Appoint Spindale Leader as Next County Manage

The Rutherford County Board of Commissioners has appointed G. Scott Webber as Rutherford County's next county manager, selecting the longtime Spindale town manager to become the county government's chief administrator effective Sept. 14, 2026.

The announcement ends a months-long search for a permanent county manager. Bryan King, who has been serving as interim county manager, will continue in that role until Webber assumes the position next month. King also continues to serve as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners until his term ends in December.

The board announced the appointment Thursday after conducting its search process, including candidate interviews held in closed session. Additional information about the process may become available when the board approves the meeting minutes from those closed sessions, which are expected to be released in August.

"After a thorough search process, the Board of Commissioners is pleased to welcome Mr. G. Scott Webber as our next County Manager," King said in a statement. "We were looking for a leader with integrity, vision, and a proven commitment to public service, and we found those qualities in Mr. Webber. We are confident that Mr. Webber will provide strong leadership for our organization, collaborate with our staff and community partners, and help guide Rutherford County as we continue to build on our successes and meet the opportunities ahead."

Webber brings more than 27 years of local government experience in public administration and management. He has served as Spindale town manager for the past 12 years after previously working for the Town of Forest City.

Under North Carolina General Statute 153A-82, the county manager serves as the chief administrator of county government and is responsible to the Board of Commissioners for administering county departments under the board's general control. The position carries broad statutory responsibilities, including directing county departments, preparing the annual budget and capital improvement program, implementing policies adopted by the commissioners, attending board meetings, submitting annual financial and administrative reports, and carrying out other duties assigned by the board.

State law also authorizes the county manager to appoint, suspend, and remove county employees, subject to board approval or county personnel policies, and requires additional fiscal management education if certain financial oversight or audit issues occur.

Webber earned a Bachelor of Science in economics and business administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is a graduate of the UNC School of Government's Municipal and County Administration Program. He has also completed extensive training in local government finance, budgeting, accounting, cash management and public investment. He is a member of both the International City/County Management Association and the North Carolina City and County Management Association.

A Rutherford County native, Webber lives in Forest City with his wife and children.

Webber will take over leadership of Rutherford County government in September, overseeing the county's day-to-day operations and implementing policies established by the Board of Commissioners. King will continue serving as interim county manager until the transition is complete. 

The previous county manager, Steve Garrison, left the role in February to work for Governor Josh Stein's western recovery office, known as GROW NC. Garrison's wife, Tonya, was recently promoted to the manager of the Rutherford County Senior Center, effective July 20, and will continue to serve under the new county manager.

WCAB News will review the closed-session minutes once they are released to determine what additional details, if any, become public about the county's search process and the board's selection of Webber.