Amid tension and pier problems, Surfside Beach manager leaves for North Carolina job

Surfside Beach’s top administrator is headed to North Carolina for a new job, ending his two-year tenure overseeing day-to-day operations in the nearby coastal town.

William Shanahan Jr., who’s last day in Surfside Beach is Dec. 17, will begin working for Newport, N.C. two days later, according to a report from the Carteret County News-Times.

Shanahan, who will make $125,000, announced his resignation to Surfside Beach officials in a terse email sent Nov. 18.

Newport’s town council voted to hire him on Nov. 21 at a special meeting, selecting the veteran administrator from a pool of 27 applicants, according to the News-Times.

Shanahan’s decision to leave Surfside Beach caught many by surprise. Mayor Bob Hellyer told The Sun News Nov. 21 officials hoped to keep him on board.

Surfside’s administrator oversees day-to-day operations, implements ordinances and policies adopted by the council, develops and budget and also helps with long-term strategic planning. Shanahan plays a key role in the ongoing reconstruction and development of the town’s landmark pier — a $20 million project already delayed by months due to design and supply chain issues.

Newport Mayor David Barber said Shanahan’s diverse background which included stints in Augusta, Ga., Palatka, Fla., and York County in the Upstate helped separate him from the pack, according to the News-Times.

“It was a tough pick, but he came through as the best applicant because of his previous experience,” the News-Times reported.

Newport and Surfside Beach share similar populations at 4,459 and 4,253 respectively, according to U.S. Census data.

This story was originally published November 29, 2022 at 1:07 PM.