Member Profile

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Lance Metzler grew up in Montgomery County, North Carolina. He has a bachelor of science degree in Urban/Regional Planning at East Carolina University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Appalachian State University. He has done graduate work at Virginia Tech along with UNC-Chapel Hill’s Public Executive Leadership Academy (PELA), and the University of Virginia’s Senior Executive Institute (SEI). Metzler was hired as the Rockingham County Manager in December, 2011. The day-to-day operation of County Government is the responsibility of Metzler and his staff, including presenting a balanced budget to the Board of Commissioners. Rockingham County’s annual General Fund Budget is $93 million with over 700 full-time/part-time employees. Before coming to Rockingham County, Metzler served as county manager for the County of Montgomery, NC since 2005, where some of his top accomplishments are the following: the first Strategic Plan for the County; the first official Capital Improvement Plan; a team approach for operations and long-term planning; and a pro-active approach to growth and customer service in a diverse community. He served as county administrator/manager for the County of Northampton, VA, between 2000 and 2005. Some of the milestone accomplishments included: first Sustainable Technology Industrial Park in the nation; a new County facility to house County services; collaborative efforts for regionalism to address housing, water and sewer needs; aggressive Land Use Plans; and Distinguished Budget Awards. As town manager for the Town of West Point, VA, from 1997 to 2000, his accomplishments included hiring and developing qualified department heads with teamwork philosophy; an industrial park; a Farmer’s Market; a Bikeway and Scenic Vista; a historical walking tour; a police department; an Emergency Operation Program; and Wastewater Treatment and Airport service development through regional efforts. Metzler was town manager for the Town of Kingstree, SC, from 1994 until 1997. He made significant water and wastewater systems improvements, developed an aggressive downtown revitalization program, enhanced recreational opportunities and enriched all public safety services the town provided. He began his career with public management in1993 for the Town of Troy, NC where he served as assistant to the town manager. Some of the projects that he oversaw were formulation and implementation of the town safety policy, developed a wellness incentive program, administrated a Land/Water Conservation Grant for the Town Lake and parks, assisted in planning and zoning functions and oversaw the town’s purchasing and procurement operations.