Elizabethtown hires Eddie Madden as town manager, bringing back former leader

ELIZABETHTOWN, NC (WWAY) — Elizabethtown officials say Eddie Madden has accepted the position of town manager, marking a return to the town after previously serving there for 13 years.

Madden previously left Elizabethtown in March 2021 to become Columbus County manager. In a statement, town officials said Madden had planned to retire, but the town reached out to see whether he would consider returning. Officials said the Town Council later voted to approve an employment contract and his return as the next town manager.

When Madden left in 2021, town leaders highlighted his 13 years of service and credited him with overseeing projects including downtown revitalization, the airport terminal, Tory Hole Park, Brown’s Creek Bike Park and Nature Trail, and Greene’s Lake Conservation Park.

Mayor Sylvia Campbell also noted Madden helped the town recover from several destructive hurricanes and was responsible for raising about $20 million in grants to support local projects.

No word yet on an official start date.