Valerie Foushee, Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, announced the selection of Frank W. Clifton, Jr. as the interim County Manager for Orange County starting June 15, 2009.

As interim County Manager, Clifton will lead the day-to-day operations of Orange County Government, interacting with the Board of County Commissioners, county departments and the general public. He will report directly to the Board of Commissioners.

Clifton has a long and successful career in local government, including County Manager - Onslow County, N.C., City Manager - Casselberry, FL., County Manager - Cabarrus County, N.C. and City Manager - City of Bristol, TN.

His educational background includes a bachelor's degree in Management and Finance from the University of South Florida and a master's degree in City Management from East Tennessee State University. He has also continued his education through the City-County Government Administration Program at the School of Government at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

"The Board is happy to find someone with Frank's vast experience and management skills to lead us through this challenging time of replacing our top leadership position," Foushee said. "Luckily he arrives at a time of the year when he can focus on meeting the staff and not have to attend meetings every other night."

Clifton is looking forward to the challenge. "This is a great professional opportunity. Orange County offers a wonderful quality of life, political stability and the community aggressively addresses the issues in a progressive and proactive manner," Clifton said.

Clifton is replacing the current Orange County Manager, Laura Blackmon, whose last day is June 30, 2009.