WHITEVILLE, N.C. — Columbus County has a seasoned local government veteran leading its daily operations following the appointment of Jason Robinson as county manager.
Approved by the Columbus County Board of Commissioners on October 5, Robinson officially began his duties on October 26, succeeding former County Manager Eddie Madden, who stepped down earlier this year to return to a leadership role with the Town of Elizabethtown.
Robinson was hired under a two-year contract carrying an annual salary of $135,000, along with four weeks of annual vacation and standard county employee health benefits. Addressing commissioners upon his appointment, Robinson noted that his heart remains in county government and expressed enthusiasm about returning to county-level administration.
Nearly Two Decades of North Carolina Municipal and County Leadership
Robinson brings more than 18 years of North Carolina local government experience to the Whiteville administration building, spanning municipal management, interim county leadership, and board clerkship:
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Town of Chadbourn (2024–2026): Most recently, Robinson served for 23 months as Chadbourn’s town manager after taking the oath of office in May 2024. He resigned earlier this year alongside former Town Attorney Mike Stephens during a dispute involving the employment of Police Chief Ken Elliot.
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County Management: Prior to his tenure in Chadbourn, Robinson served as interim county manager in both Yancey County and Stanly County.
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Certified County Clerk: Earlier in his career, Robinson earned his North Carolina Master County Clerk certification and served as Clerk to the Board of Commissioners in Yancey County—where he also held a seat on the Yancey County Board of Education and served as treasurer of the N.C. Association of County Clerks—before becoming Clerk to the Board in Scotland County in 2019.
As county manager, Robinson oversees Columbus County’s departmental operations, budget administration, and the implementation of policies set by the Board of Commissioners.
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