The city of Wilmington announced two new hires Monday afternoon that will round out the city's administrative department. 

Pender County manager Chad McEwen will serve as a deputy city manager beginning July 5. McEwen gave the Pender County Board of Commissioners his resignation notice late last month, and requested a 30-day notice, but was required to fulfill a 60-day exit period, per his contract. 

McEwen joined Pender County as assistant manager in 2017 and was promoted to manager in 2019. He was previously manager of the town of Burgaw and earned a master's in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. 

In Wilmington, McEwen will oversee the fire department, emergency management, planning and development, economic development, and downtown services departments, according to a city press release. 

“I am eager to begin the next chapter of my career with the city of Wilmington, an organization that I have long admired, and to continue the important work of emergency management and economic development,” McEwen said in the release. “I am honored to be chosen for this role and believe it is a perfect match for my professional background and desire to build a strong and resilient community.”

The city also announced the hiring of Raleigh's budget and management services director, Mary Vigue. She previously served as assistant city manager for Greensboro and holds a master's in public administration from UNC-Chapel Hill. 

Vigue will begin May 23 and will oversee the finance, internal audit, budget, information technology and human resources departments. 

“Internal services are a passion of mine, so joining the City of Wilmington in this capacity presents an ideal opportunity to help lead a highly efficient and mission-driven city organization. I am excited to become a member of this community and put my experience to work for the people of Wilmington,” Vigue said in the release.

Vigue and McEwen will report to Tony Caudle, who was appointed city manager in September 2021 following longtime manger Sterling Cheatham's retirement. Caudle was previously deputy city manager and has served the city for nearly 13 years. 

The two new hires will join current deputy city manager Thom Moton. The hires are part of a restructuring effort the city designed earlier this year in order to assist with new programs, according to Port City Daily.