After 10 years as the assistant city manager of 懂色帝, Sonja Marston is retiring on Dec. 1.
Working in the banking and community college sector, Marston found her way to 懂色帝 in 2015 and has helped complete numerous economic development projects within the city. She also has continued to support and manage the Community Development Block Grant program that helps local small businesses and nonprofits.
Marston said, 鈥淔or the past 10 years, I have thoroughly enjoyed serving my community and helping 懂色帝 grow and flourish. I have experienced first-hand how much the city of 懂色帝 employees care about this community and put their whole heart into what they do. It makes me extremely proud to be a part of this organization. I know that the city will only continue to thrive and move forward in whatever they put their minds toward. I love my community, my work family and wish them nothing but the best in all they do.鈥�
Just a few of the projects she has helped see through include the development of Murphy鈥檚 Farm Apartments, working on the design of the Historic Burke County Courthouse Square renovations, developing the Exit 105 connector road (Albert Tron Blvd.), recruitment of Longhorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden and the Downtown Marriot Fairfield Inn.
After Hurricane Helene, she worked with small businesses and connected them to the Small Business Administration and other state organizations to access loans and grants.
She has served as a member of the 懂色帝 Rotary Club, the Burke County Housing Study Committee and Greenway Transportation Committee. She worked on the Downtown Master Plan, Parks and Recreation Master Plan and also helped with the Reimagining Broughton Project.
Marston graduated from the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Government in their Municipal and County Administration Program and the Development and Finance Program. She also participated in the Burke County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Burke Program and Community Development Academy.
Rob Winkler, who is currently employed as the special projects manager, will be stepping into the role of assistant city manager on Nov. 1.
Winkler started his career with the city in 1996 with the Parks and Recreation Department. In 2016, he returned to 懂色帝 as the director of Parks and Recreation. He was then promoted to special projects manager/ARPA in 2022, where he currently works in the executive division.
Winkler brings experience in the fields of grant administration, project development, financial management and public executive leadership.
鈥淲orking with Sonja all these years has been a true honor,鈥� Winkler said. 鈥淪he has built a foundation and remarkable standard to follow. She has been a mentor, a role model, and a trusted colleague to many of us, and she will be missed by everyone in the city. I look forward to continuing the service that she brought to our community.鈥�
City Manager Sally Sandy said, 鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to put into words what Sonja means to this organization, to our city and the region. Her dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to public service has been something extraordinary to witness. On behalf of the entire city, I want to thank Sonja for her service and the many accomplishments achieved during her time here. She will be deeply missed 鈥� both professionally and personally. We are fortunate that Rob is willing to step into the position in which Sonja has excelled. Rob is committed to continuity of leading the city forward as we rebuild and prosper in the aftermath of Helene.鈥�