Deputy City Manager Chris Wilson, who has been serving the City of Greensboro for a very long time, publicly announced his retirement on Tuesday, April 29.

Wilson kicked off his career with the City of Greensboro in the last century – specifically, in June of 1992. Over the last 33 years he’s been instrumental in a wide variety of ways in making Greensboro the city it has become through years of growth.

A Tuesday statement from the city praised his through his “leadership, dedication, and collaborative spirit” in support of Greensboro and the surrounding area. The statement also called the affable Wilson “A longtime and highly respected member of the City’s leadership team.”

Wilson also issued a statement on April 29.

“It has truly been an honor and a privilege to serve alongside such an incredible team of fellow public servants,” he said. “I remain focused on finishing strong and continuing our important work together for the next few months. There’s so much good on the horizon.”

City of Greensboro leaders said the city “extends a heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Wilson for his outstanding service,” and noted, “His presence will be deeply missed, and his legacy of service will have a lasting impact for years to come.”

At various times in his long career with the city he has filled roles as needed, and, in  March of last year, Wilson assumed the role of Interim City Manager while the Greensboro City Council conducted a search for a new manager.

In his LinkedIn profile Wilson wrote of himself: “I am a public administration professional who enjoys advancing community progress through quality of life, public safety, infrastructure, and economic development. I am a problem solver and innovator. My best accomplishments are a result of a non-traditional approach.”

Wilson, in addition to being Interim City manager for much of last year, also served in that capacity from June 2021 to February 2022.

Prior to that, he served as Assistant City manager starting in December of 2013.

Before that, he served as the city’s Parks and Recreation director and the Intergovernmental Contracted Services Division manager.

Early on in his career Wilson was the general manager for Bur-Mil Park.