Politics & Government

Mecklenburg County will consider naming acting manager while Dena Diorio takes leave

Dena Diorio, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Manager, sits at their seat during the commissioners meeting at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center Monday, Dec. 5 in Charlotte, NC.
Dena Diorio, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Manager, sits at their seat during the commissioners meeting at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center Monday, Dec. 5 in Charlotte, NC. mholder@charlotteobserver.com

Mecklenburg County next week will consider appointing an acting manager while Mecklenburg County Manager Dena Diorio takes temporary personal leave starting Sept. 13.

The county’s agenda for Wednesday’s meeting asks commissioners to appoint Anthony Trotman, the deputy county manager for health and human services, to the acting manager position. A reason for the leave isn’t given with Wednesday’s agenda item, but county commissioners Vice Chair Elaine Powell told The Charlotte Observer the leave is related to Diorio’s wedding this month.

Diorio and her groom will travel abroad for their honeymoon, Powell said. The commissioners vice chair said it’s normal for an acting manager to be appointed when someone in Diorio’s position is out of the country for an extended period in case of emergency.

Wednesday’s agenda doesn’t include a return date for Diorio or other information. Trotman’s appointment is effective until Diorio returns or it’s otherwise revoked. Powell said she believes Diorio will return to work Oct. 9.

“This action is being requested to ensure County business is conducted seamlessly during the absence of the County Manager,” Wednesday’s agenda item states.

Trotman joined Mecklenburg County in 2015 as deputy county manager after previously working as director of job and family services for Franklin County, Ohio, and chief of staff for the state of Ohio’s Department of Job and Family Services.

This story was originally published September 1, 2023 at 5:22 PM.

Mary Ramsey
The Charlotte Observer
Mary Ramsey is the local government accountability reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she studied journalism at the University of South Carolina and has also worked in Phoenix, Arizona and Louisville, Kentucky. Support my work with a digital subscription
Anna Maria Della Costa
The Charlotte Observer
Anna Maria Della Costa is a veteran reporter with more than 32 years of experience covering news and sports. She worked in Florida, Alabama, Rhode Island and Connecticut before moving to North Carolina. She was raised in Colorado, is a diehard Denver Broncos fan and proud graduate of the University of Montana. When she’s not covering Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, she’s spending time with her 11-year-old son and shopping.
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