Charlotte announces new assistant city manager, interim economic development director
Charlotte’s planning director has been promoted to an assistant city manager and will temporarily take over the city’s economic development team, according to a Friday announcement.
Alyson Craig, best known for helping develop Charlotte’s 2040 plan and unified development ordinance in her role as Planning, Design and Development director, has been with the city since 2018.
Her new duties will include economic development, city planning and Charlotte Water. She’ll also lead the CLT Development Center, the city said in a statement. Craig will also hold the title of interim economic development director during the search for a permanent hire.
“Throughout her time with the city she has demonstrated strong leadership, dedication to our community and a commitment to collaboration. Her experience in both the public and private sectors will help ensure that the City of Charlotte continues to grow smartly and with purpose,” City Manager Marcus Jones said in a statement.
Current economic development director Tracy Dodson, who also holds the assistant city manager title, announced in December she would leave the city at the end of January to become chief operating officer and head of economic development for the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.
Craig previously taught at UNC Charlotte, where she served as co-director of the Childress Klein Center for Real Estate and director of the school’s Master of Science in Real Estate program. She’s also worked in real estate development and has degrees from UNC, the University of Georgia and UNC Charlotte.
“I’m honored and excited to join the City Manager’s team to continue my work for the city and expand my role and help other parts of the organization grow and thrive,” she said in a statement.
Current deputy planning director Monica Holmes will take over as interim director for Craig during a search for a permanent replacement, the city’s statement said.
