Brunswick County Manager Randell Woodruff has announced his retirement, according to a press release Wednesday.

Woodruff, who has had a career in public service in the state for more than 30 years, undertook the role of manager in October 2019.

He will serve as county manager through January.

“I am appreciative to the Board of Commissioners for the opportunity to serve this county and am incredibly proud of the work we’ve achieved together,” Woodruff said in the release. “We have an exemplary group of leaders and service-minded professionals within this organization, and I feel especially grateful and lucky that I get to close my career working alongside them all.”

Some of his work during his tenure includes overseeing the renovation of the Brunswick County Courthouse, coordinating with Brunswick County Business and Industry and maintaining the county’s strong financial position and enterprise bond credit ratings, according to the release.

Prior to Brunswick County, Woodruff was county manager of Pender County (2015-2019), Beaufort County (2011-2015) and Camden County (2003-2011).

Under his leadership, the county also saw progress in infrastructure, including expansion and improvement projects at the Northeast Wastewater Treatment Plant, collaborations with the town of Navassa and the city of Northwest to merge utility systems and expansion of the West Brunswick Regional Wastewater System.

“Long-range planning initiatives and studies such as Blueprint Brunswick 2040, the NCDOT Brunswick County Comprehensive Transportation Plan, the Brunswick County Water and Sewer Master Plan and the County Complex Site and Master Plan also began while [Woodruff was] serving as county manager,” the release stated.

Woodruff also guided the county’s response and recovery efforts during Hurricane Isaias in 2020 and the EF-3 tornado in February.

“Randell has helped lead our county through several unforeseen or unexpected challenges over the past two years, providing stability and steady guidance through it all,” Randy Thompson, chairman of the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners, said in a press release. “On behalf of my fellow commissioners, I want to thank him for his work and for helping us continue to improve and provide exceptional services to our residents. We wish him and his family nothing but the best as he takes on this new adventure.”

The county is currently conducting a search for candidates for the next county manager, who will “oversee an annual budget of approximately $291.5 million, with approximately 1,100 full-time employees.”

“Through disasters and pandemics, we have seen how exceptional our Brunswick County staff and community partners are in times of crisis,” Woodruff said. “I am proud to have worked alongside these amazing individuals and know that the county remains in great hands as we all move forward.”