Katherine Cathey to serve as Oak Island Town Manager

OAK ISLAND (WWAY) — During a special meeting Thursday, the Oak Island Town Council voted unanimously to hire Katherine Cathey as the new Town Manager, with an effective start date of September 28.

Cathey currently serves as County Manager for Person County, where she oversees county operations and works closely with elected officials, staff, and community partners.

Before stepping into this role, she served as Assistant County Manager for Person County and previously held human resources and budgeting positions with the Town of Hillsborough and Orange County.

Cathey holds a Master of Public Administration from North Carolina State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy Studies from Duke University.

She is an ICMA Credentialed Manager and an active leader in professional, civic, and nonprofit organizations across North Carolina.

This decision follows a thorough search process, involving over 50 applicants, with maintaining a transparent process as a top priority of the Town Council.