Mecklenburg County Manager Dena Diorio Set to Retire

Mecklenburg County Manager Dena R. Diorio announces her retirement after 11 years of service in the position, according to a Thursday press release by the Mecklenburg County Public Information Department.

The announcement came one day after Diorio notified the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) during a closed session Wednesday. Diorio will complete her last year as county manager before her retirement on July 1, 2025.

“It has been the honor of my life to serve the residents and employees of Mecklenburg County,” Diorio stated in the press release. “When I took this role, I wanted to make sure the County was always at the table to discuss issues, find solutions, and improve lives for our residents. I have always believed that to serve our community, we must be bold and have a vision of how things could be. We needed to see what is possible, and how best to help people.”

Diorio began her career with the county as the Chief Financial Officer in 2007 and made history as Mecklenburg County’s first woman county manager in 2013. Before moving to Mecklenburg County, she worked as director of city affairs under New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and as director of policy and management for the City of Stamford, Connecticut. 

During her time as manager, Diorio created the MECK PreK program to offer high-quality preschool education opportunities for 4-year-olds and established two Community Resource Centers to streamline delivery of essential human services.

Under Diorio’s administration, the county maintained a AAA bond rating amidst the 2008 economic crisis, a coveted title that transformed the County’s financial landscape. 

Diorio shared, “I have been steadfast in facing challenges while ensuring fiscal responsibility and security. My goal was to leave Mecklenburg County a better place than when I arrived, and I believe I have accomplished that. When I became County Manager, a national study showed that we were 50 out of 50 in economic mobility. We are now 38 out of 50, I know the County made great efforts to do our part in moving that needle in the right direction.”

Her work in affordable housing, sustainability and access to health care has earned her several leadership awards, including Public Policy Leader of the Year by the National Association of Women Business Owners, Leadership in Action award by Career Mastered, Most Admired CEO by the Charlotte Business Journal and more.

She has seen her share of controversy during her decade-plus tenure, including in 2021 when she recommended withholding millions of dollars in funding for the district or the previous year when she took criticism for the county’s handling of what came to be known as Tent City.

Some local leaders took to social media on Thursday to praise Diorio following the public announcement, including at-large BOCC representative Leigh Altman, who wrote, “Mecklenburg County residents, let us salute [Dena Diorio] for an incredible tenure as our County Manager. I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to have served alongside such a strong leader and wish Dena all the happiness in her next chapter!” 

Diorio said her priority is to continue leading the county in her last year while aiding BOCC in its search for her replacement and ensuring a smooth transition of power.

“Dena is a visionary and Mecklenburg County has transformed under her leadership. I am sad this day has come, but she has earned this time for herself, and I wish her and her husband all the best. I know we will find a new County Manager,” County Commission Chair George Dunlap said in the release. “But there will only be one Dena.”

Dunlap said the Board will soon designate a search committee to find a new manager.