Kim Crisp
Robbinsville – After a 27-month search, a new Graham County Manager has been hired.
Brady Cody was formally introduced as the county's next manager at Tuesday's budget meeting, filling a void that began when commissioners opted not to re-appoint project manager Jason Marino to the dual role Dec. 5, 2022. Marino remains the county project manager to this day.
County clerk Kim Crisp served as interim while the board sifted through a series of application processes to find the next manager.
"I appreciate the opportunity," Cody said. "I am honored and excited to get started. Kim has been a tremendous resource during this transition. I look forward to working with you all."
In addition to Cody stating that Crisp is a "tremendous resource" as he prepares for the role, board chair Meggan Smith also spoke on behalf of the commissioners about her time as interim manager.
"We want to thank her for all she's done," Smith said. "She's been wearing many hats for many years, so I hope this will help take some stress off of that. You've done a great job handling it, but I know you were ready for progress to happen.
"I'm really excited to see – as a group – what we can work toward."
Meet the manager
Cody is a familiar name to Graham County, as he is a Robbinsville native and opened Cody Law Group in downtown Robbinsville in 2019. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2013 and received his juris doctor from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 2016.
He and his wife Kelsey have two daughters, Nora and Amelia.
"Graham County is home for me. It's been home and it's going to stay home," Cody told The Star. "I can think of no better place to work or to be, so I hope to play a central role in making sure Graham County is something we continue to be proud of.
"One reason I wanted to take the job is, I have two young girls and I want them to grow up in a safe community, with opportunity. Somewhere they can be proud of and when they graduate from high school, have the ability to say to themselves, 'I see myself here,' in whatever field they choose. That's one thing I would love to accomplish: if I can look back in 14 years and say I have done that, then I can say that I have done a good job."
Cody said he felt a synergy as soon as he sat down to be interviewed for the role.
"I was very impressed by this board's vision; it clicked with mine almost immediately," said Cody. "I'm excited to start those substantive discussions; you talk a little during an interview, but now – with it being a full-time job – I'll have the ability to get with the board and set that vision in motion the best that we can."
In anticipation of beginning his duties as county manager Monday, April 21, Cody has shied away from accepting new clients at his firm. He admitted to The Star that an attempt to serve in both arenas would be too daunting.
"I'm taking that hat off for now," Cody said, of his law career. "I want to make sure I give the board and the citizens of Graham County my full-time support. I love my law practice, but I just don't want it to ever seem like I'm not fully invested in what I'm doing (for the county)."
Cody also revealed two items that he plans to work on right out of the gate.
"The first thing I want to do is get a handle on where we are, budget-wise," Cody explained. "That's kind of two-fold: understanding the numbers, but also understanding each aspect of the county, the services that are offered and making a difference in the lives of those who live in Graham County.
"Another priority is the justice center. That's something that I'll need to get up-to-speed on pretty quickly, because obviously that is an issue that matters a lot to the board and is something they are working diligently on."
The new manager added that he plans to have an open-door policy for members of the public.
"I understand that people have different viewpoints about things," Cody said. "I want to make sure that people are aware of what's going on at the county level and make sure they're aware of what services are offered. I hope to be a bridge with the board – but also the general public and the employees of Graham County – and be as involved as I can with the day-to-day aspect of all things Graham County."
Cody's starting salary will be $75,000.
* Next week: The board discusses its progress on the 2025-26 fiscal budget.