Currituck County Manager Donald “Ike” McRee, Jr., notified the Board of Commissioners on Monday, February 26, 2024, to inform Commissioners of his resignation, effective on April 1, 2024. McRee recently had his contract extended for a three-year term by the Board of Commissioners.
McRee faithfully served Currituck County for much of his career. He first served as the Currituck County Attorney from 1989 to 1992. After a time working for other counties and in private practice, McRee was hired as Currituck’s County Attorney for a second time in 2008. He served in this role until August 2021, when, after the sudden departure of former County Manager Ben Stikeleather, the Board of Commissioners appointed him as interim County Manager.
According to Bob White, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, the Board quickly realized during the search process for a permanent County Manager that Ike would be the best candidate due to his years of experience and his relationships, not only with the Board, but with county staff and state-level officials. The Board officially named McRee as County Manager on February 7, 2022.
Chairman White had this to say regarding McRee’s retirement:
“To say that Ike will be missed is an understatement! Ike has left an indelible mark on this county and has faithfully carried out his duties to the residents and staff that make up this great county. During his time as the manager, Ike created a new budget format that was better for all to read and understand. He has overseen the replacement of our much-maligned sewage plant, played a major role during recent school renovation projects, and has been an integral part of the design and financing work for our newest elementary school.
Ike has provided countless hours of counsel to the Board and helped support our new County Attorney, Megan Morgan, during her transition onto staff. As County Manager, Ike has overseen many staff changes and retirements and successfully weathered the fallout of a post-covid era of employee issues.
This county has lost a dedicated and great public servant! Ike will be missed by the Board and more certainly by those he worked with and called friends in his decades-long public service. The Board of Commissioners would like to express our gratitude to Ike, and we wish him well in his next endeavors.”