THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 13, 1995 TAG: 9512120090
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LINDA MCNATT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
A University of Virginia graduate with a master's degree in planning will take over as town manager Jan. 8.
The Town Council last week unanimously agreed to hire Peter M. Stephenson, 32, to replace Ken McLawhon, who will leave the position at the end of the year.
Stephenson was selected from a field of 84 applicants, Mayor James Chapman said. The council committee that recommended Stephenson interviewed eight applicants and brought three of them back for a second interview.
``He knows planning. He's had a lot of experience in water and sewage treatment facilities,'' Chapman said. ``And I personally liked his approach to people. He's an easy man to talk to, real relaxed.''
Stephenson is deputy town manager in Leesburg, a small but growing town northwest of Washington, where he also serves as personnel and airport director.
Chapman said Stephenson was born in the Midwest, and his father's career as a college professor brought the family to Virginia.
Stephenson has lived and worked in Williamsburg. He is a graduate of Iowa State University and the University of Virginia. He is married and has two children.
``We had applicants from all over, from as far away as California, two from Texas,'' Chapman said. ``It was a unanimous agreement that Stephenson was the best man for the job.''
He said the council agreed unanimously with the four-member committee - Daniel Smith, Tom Hearn, Al Rogers and Chapman - appointed to make the selection.
Chapman said McLawhon, who has not yet announced where he plans to go, probably will stay on for a couple of weeks to help break Stephenson into his new position.
KEYWORDS: SMITHFIELD TOWN MANAGER by CNB