The town manager is responsible for implementing the policies set forth by the Town Council and exercises management responsibility over all operational staff and departments. The town manager recommends the Annual Budget and ensures that all local, state and federal laws and regulations are met. 

About Interim Town Manager Russ Overton

Russ Overton was sworn in as Cary's interim town manager on December 15, 2025. He joined the Town of Cary in 1998 as an engineer, and held leadership roles in the Engineering department before serving as the Inspections & Permits department director and eventually moving to the Town Manager’s Office as an assistant town manager in 2013. In 2017, he was promoted to deputy town manager and chief operating officer.

Overton holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from North Carolina State University and is a licensed Professional Engineer. He is a graduate of the UNC School of Government’s (SOG) Municipal and County Administration Course, the UNC SOG’s Public Executive Leadership Academy (PELA), the Senior Executive Institute (SEI) program at the University of Virginia, ICF - Leadership Coaching for Organizational Performance at North Carolina State University, and the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program, John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Executive Education. Overton is a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and is an ICMA Credentialed Manager and a member of the North Carolina City and County Management Association (NCCCMA).

Overton is an avid fisherman raised in Ahoskie, North Carolina. He and his wife, Kristy, live on a micro-farm in the Apex portion of Wake County with their three daughters and labradoodle.

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The Town Manager's Office focuses on implementing the Town Council’s broad policies, especially as they pertain to addressing citizen complaints and implementing the Town Council’s legislative advocacy program.

Related Links

• Cary 101
• Town Meetings and Events Calendar, including Holiday Celebrations
• ADA Grievance Procedure

Council-Manager Form of Government
North Carolina law requires municipalities to choose between two types of administration: “strong mayor” or “council-manager.” Like most larger communities in the state, the Town of Cary uses the council-manager format.

Under this form of administration, the citizens of Cary elect a seven-member Town Council. The elected Council creates a vision for the community by setting the broad policies, goals, and direction of the government including adopting necessary laws. The Council also appoints three staff members: the Town Attorney, the Town Clerk and the Town Manager.

As the chief executive officer, the Town Manager implements Council’s policies and oversees all Town operations. The manager advises the Council on all issues, proposes the annual budget, and coordinates the work of all municipal staff not appointed by the council. Cary’s professional staff develops and implements projects, programs, and services in support of Council’s goals and is responsible for the organization’s day-to-day operations.

Other governments serving Cary citizens

Contacts

Russ Overton
Interim Town Manager
Town Manager's Office
(919) 469-4033
russ.overton@carync.gov

Danna Widmar
Assistant Town Manager
Town Manager's Office
(919) 460-4915
danna.widmar@carync.gov

Scot Berry
Assistant Town Manager
Town Manager’s Office
(919) 469-4047
scot.berry@carync.gov