Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen was recently named county manager of the year. The Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Goverments presented the award to McMillen last week.

Vance County Commissioner Tommy Hester nominated McMillen and told WIZS News the county manager is exceptional and someone who goes beyond the call of duty. Hester said, “He puts service above self. His job is to make the quality of life better for every citizen of Vance County.”

The director of the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments, Diane Cox, said, “Jordan McMillen is very deserving of the Outstanding County Manager award for the Kerr-Tar region. Over the past few years, Jordan has been instrumental in regional projects focused on expanding broadband options, ensuring critical infrastructure for economic development and supporting services for all Vance County residents. He believes in consensus-building, has the highest level of integrity and is an extremely dedicated public servant.”

McMillen told WIZS he enjoyed the recognition. “It makes me feel good,” he said, “but I’m not the best at talking about it.”

He said, “Those that know me know, I enjoy seeing what the County does as a whole, and my role as manager allows me to see that perspective. I’ve been fortunate to meet a lot of people, and the relational side of the county manager role is what I enjoy the most.”

Where there are needs McMillen tries to address them. He said his role allows him to do that.

Vance County Manager Jordan McMillan Named Kerr-Tar Region’s Manager of the Year

“With all that said,” McMillen continued, “the County has outstanding department heads, office heads. They lead every day. We have employees who come to work everyday, and they make the choice to make a difference in someone’s life.”

That’s a choice you can make, according to McMillen, whether you’re in local government or not. He said, “But in local government, we’re in a constant position everyday where we get to help.”

Hester explained when Vance County bought the Kittrell Water Association, it was McMillen who got it all straight. Hester said the project was nearing a break even point much sooner than expected and essentially was saying McMillen’s work was a big reason why. “He is saving tax payers money, and that’s one example of him moving forward as far as that’s concerned,” Hester said.

Commissioner Hester explained an additional economic development project is presently underway and that the county engineer is involved because of land. Hester said we needed the engineer and “I called the engineer that afternoon (after the meeting at 10 o’clock in the morning), and the engineer told me Jordan had already called. He’d done it in an hour’s time. He jumps on things. He does what he needs to do. He moves forward. Vance County is fortunate to have him.”