Oak Island Selects Katherine Cathey as New Town Manager
Published on July 23, 2026
UPDATE NOTICE
During a special meeting on July 23, 2026, the Oak Island Town Council voted unanimously to hire Katherine Cathey as the new Town Manager, with an effective start date of September 28, 2026.
Katherine Miller Cathey is a dedicated public servant and local government leader with more than 20 years of experience in county and municipal administration.
She currently serves as County Manager for Person County, North Carolina, where she oversees county operations and works closely with elected officials, staff, and community partners. Before stepping into this role, she served as Assistant County Manager for Person County and previously held human resources and budgeting positions with the Town of Hillsborough and Orange County.
Katherine holds a Master of Public Administration from North Carolina State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy Studies from Duke University. She is an ICMA Credentialed Manager and an active leader in professional, civic, and nonprofit organizations across North Carolina.
Outside of her professional work, Katherine is involved in Rotary, her church community, and organizations that strengthen local government and civic life.
“I am truly honored to serve as Oak Island’s next Town Manager and grateful for the opportunity to become part of such a welcoming community," Katherine stated upon learning of the Council's decision. "I look forward to working alongside the Town Council, staff, and community members to build on the Town’s strengths and advance its goals and priorities. My family and I are excited to make Oak Island our home, and I look forward to getting to know the people who make this community so special.”
This decision follows a thorough search process, involving over 50 applicants, with maintaining a transparent process as a top priority of the Town Council. This notice and all previous Town Manager Search updates can be viewed and SHARED at OakIslandNC.gov/MANAGER or by clicking the link below.
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ORIGINAL NOTICE
JUNE 26, 2026 • The Oak Island Town Council has provided an update in the ongoing search for a new Town Manager, ahead of the upcoming retirement of Town Manager Kathryn Adams on June 30.
As of this notice, more than 50 applications have been received and reviewed by the Town Council, with a first round of interviews conducted over the past two weeks. Scheduling for second interviews is currently underway and expected to take place soon.
In the meantime, the Town Council has appointed Assistant Town Manager Kent Jackson to serve as Interim Town Manager effective July 1. Originally hired in September 2025, Kent has utilized his extensive local government background and engineering expertise to complete a number of high priority Town infrastructure projects and capital improvements.
Moving forward, Kent Jackson will assume the full responsibilities as Interim Town Manager, and adjust Administrative Staff to ensure all Town services continue to be provided with minimal disruption.
The Town Council has committed to providing public updates as often as possible on the search for a new Town Manager. These updates will be published on THIS page, which can be viewed and SHARED as OakIslandNC.gov/MANAGER.