A  30-plus-year veteran of the financial sector in North Carolina is the new chief financial officer for New Hanover County.

Eric Credle, who is taking over the role following the promotion of Lisa Wurtzbacher to assistant county manager earlier this month, begins his as CFO on June 14, according to a county news release.

“Eric brings a wealth of knowledge and valuable experience to our organization that we believe will help us in continuing to be fiscally responsible and good stewards for our citizens,” said New Hanover County Manager Chris Coudriet in the release. “While his previous career focused on the private sector, Eric has a history of being involved in many civic organizations with a passion for helping others in his community. These are traits we look for here at New Hanover County and we are certainly excited to have him joining our team in June.”

A 1990 graduate of Wake Forest University, Credle returns to New Hanover County after growing up in Wilmington and graduating from Hoggard High School, the release stated.  

He has more than three decades of experience in private finance, including 24 years as the CFO of First Bank, in Southern Pines. Following his retirement in November, he remained a consultant with First Bank, according to the release.

Credle helped First Bank grow from $375 million in assets and 33 locations in 1997 to $10 billion in assets and 122 branches by late 2021, the release stated. His work included managing SEC and other annual financial reports, budgeting, mergers and acquisitions, investor relations and taxes, among other duties.

In addition to being a North Carolina Certified Public Accountant, Credle has been active in the Rotary Club and other community volunteer organizations in the Southern Pines area for decades, according to the release.

“I am grateful for this opportunity to return to a place I love and serve the community that helped shape me,” Credle said in the release.  “I look forward to being a part of the county and Finance team, which has a tremendous track record of strong and responsible financial management.”

Credle will be part of the county’s executive leadership team and will oversee the county’s finance department and its functions, including developing the county’s budget, preparation of the comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR), purchasing, collections, debt management and payroll.