Southport names Judy Singletary as new Parks and Recreation director

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — The City of Southport has selected Judy Singletary as its next Parks and Recreation director, months after several department employees were placed on paid administrative leave following the discovery of financial irregularities.

City Manager Noah Saldo announced Singletary’s selection Wednesday. She brings more than 29 years of parks and recreation experience, including municipal recreation management, program development, operations, budgeting and community engagement.

Singletary is a Wilmington native who began her parks and recreation career with the City of Wilmington in 1997. She held several positions with the city before moving into a leadership role.

Since 2017, Singletary has served as recreation manager for the Town of Mooresville.

Her selection comes after four Southport Parks and Recreation employees were placed on paid administrative leave following the discovery of financial irregularities within the department.

In July, the city also announced that then-Parks and Recreation Director Heather Hemphill would retire effective Sept. 1. The city said at the time that Hemphill’s retirement was not related to the investigation.

Singletary holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Organizational Development from Mount Olive College and a master’s degree in Youth Development Leadership from Clemson University. She is also a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional.

“Judy brings the experience, leadership, and vision needed to move Southport’s Parks and Recreation Department forward,” Saldo said. “Her commitment to creating meaningful recreational opportunities for people of all ages will be a tremendous asset to our community.”

Singletary will begin serving as Southport’s Parks and Recreation director on Sept. 29, 2026.