Durham Council Surprise: New City Manager Appointed

It wasn't on the public agenda for Monday's meeting, but the Durham City Council appointed Deputy City Manager W. Bowman "Bo" Ferguson as the next city manager to succeed Wanda Page.

Council Member DeDreana Freeman raised concerns about the process, which she said "seemed a little scurry along." Council members Chelsea Cook and Nate Baker also shared concerns, but all three generally seemed supportive of Ferguson taking over the new role on Jan. 1, which will pay $297,000 per year.

Mayor Pro-Tempore Mark-Anthony Middleton noted: "It was not sneaky. It was not underhanded. It was the same thing we did when we wanted to hire Wanda Page."

Of course, it's worth noting, Page got the job in 2021 after five months serving as interim city manager.

In a statement released Monday night, Mayor Leonardo Williams praised Ferguson as "the right leader to guide Durham's future."

"With more than a decade of dedicated service to our city and nearly three decades of experience in local government, he has the expertise, vision, and a deep commitment to our organization's values and our community values. The City Council is hiring someone who can lead a workforce of nearly 3,000 people and who truly loves Durham. Bo has shown that he can be present for the Durham community at large. He has proven his ability to lead with innovation, inclusivity, and fiscal responsibility."

Ferguson came to Durham city government in 2013. In 2021, Page asked Ferguson to lead the police, fire, emergency communications, and community safety departments.

"I am honored and humbled to be appointed as Durham's next city manager," Ferguson said. "Since 2013, I have enjoyed being a part of this amazing community, where I've worked, lived, and raised my family. To have the opportunity to serve as city manager in the city that I'm so deeply committed to, is a dream come true for me. I've been a witness and a participant in Durham's transformation over the past decade, and I'm excited to see us continue to build on our progress and ensure all our residents can benefit from and participate fully in Durham's successes."

Before joining Durham, Ferguson served as city manager in Hendersonville, North Carolina, from 2008 to 2013; assistant town manager in Black Mountain, North Carolina, from 2005 to 2008; and held leadership roles in Rockville and Greenbelt, Maryland, from 1996 to 2005.

He has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Kansas and a bachelor’s in political science and urban studies from Furman University.