Former Guilford County Deputy Manager Clarence Grier has landed on his feet after being shown the door by Guilford County government earlier this year.
Grier has been named the deputy city manager of Roanoke, Virginia.
Six years ago, Grier was hired by former Guilford County Manager Marty Lawing, who resigned at the request of the majority of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners just before Christmas of last year. Grier’s departure followed Lawing’s – about one month after Lawing left and new Guilford County Manager Mike Halford was hired to replace Lawing.
According to the news reports in Roanoke, Grier will take the place of the current deputy city manager who plans on retiring this summer.
Grier will have somewhat similar responsibilities in his new job to the ones he had as Guilford County’s deputy manager. He’ll oversee some agencies and functions in that local government and also head up special programs and initiatives.
Guilford County officials were quiet regarding the reasons for Grier’s exit from Guilford County government. Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Skip Alston said in January that he couldn’t provide any information because “We have been told not to comment on it since it is a personnel issue.”
Grier was hired as Guilford County’s deputy manager in February of 2015. Before that, he served as an assistant county manager for Orange County.
During Grier’s service in Guilford County, he had, among many other duties, the job of running the Guilford County Animal Shelter after a huge animal abuse scandal at the shelter was uncovered and former shelter staff were removed.
Grier was an amazing college basketball player who was selected by the Houston Rockets in the 1987 NBA draft – though he never played in the NBA, and, instead, went into a career with local government. At Campbell University in the mid 1980s, Grier broke over 30 school records and, in his senior year, was named the Big South Conference Player of the Year.
Roanoke’s gain is definitely our loss! Grier was the professional clean-up man who was bounced around to save many major departments everytime another director got fired or bailed. He did so tirelessly and without complaint. He did so professionally and objectively even when that meant going against the grain in the best interest of staff or the public. We can all see how much Skip appreciates hard work and honesty.
Yes, Just Sayin! Say it again so Skip and his pals can hear you! Your comments are spot on!
Roanoke has gained a fine public servant by hiring Mr. Grier.