County Leadership Team

Mike Bryant was appointed County Manager on April 1, 2025, by the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners, and was officially sworn into the position on June 30, 2025. As County Manager, Mike is the chief executive officer of the organization and provides leadership for all County departments and agencies. He is responsible for managing Mecklenburg County’s annual budget of $2.5 billion and carrying out the established priorities and initiatives of the Board of County Commissioners.

Prior to serving as County Manager, Mike served as Deputy County Manager and was responsible for overseeing the Finance Department, the Tax Collector’s Office, Information Technology Services, Human Resources, and the Assessor’s Office. In addition, Mike was responsible for leading the County's enterprise risk management initiative, supervising financial planning, and providing oversight and testing of the County’s Continuity of Operations Plan, plus the management and distribution of American Rescue Plan Act funding. Prior to serving as Deputy County Manager, Mike was Director of the Office of Management and Budget. As Director, he was accountable for leading the annual budget development activities, facilitating Board decision-making, and providing oversight and guidance to County departments, business partners, and non-profit organizations.

Mike joined Mecklenburg County in 2003 and has three decades of experience in city, county, and state government. Prior to Mecklenburg County, Mike worked for the City of Durham, Duke University, Granville County and the N.C. Office of the Governor. A proud two-time graduate of North Carolina Central University, Mike holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Public Administration degree. He is an inductee of the North Carolina Central University 40 Under 40 Alumni Award, an honor given to young alumni who have exhibited leadership, dedication, and success within their profession and communities. Mike has been the recipient of numerous awards including the John “Jack” Vogt Lifetime Achievement Award, a recognition of individuals who have advanced the field of budgeting and evaluation in North Carolina local government. In addition, Mike received the Community Building Initiative’s “Leaders Under 40” award and was recently honored with North Carolina Central University’s Crystal Eagle Award.

Throughout his career Mike has served on various boards including the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States & Canada Executive Board (President); the Southern Piedmont Chapter of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (Past President); the North Carolina Local Government Budget Association (Member); and the International City/County Management Association. In addition, Mike has also been a member of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s MPA Advisory Board, Wayfinders, and the Board of Commissioners for Emergency Medical Services. He has also served as a lecturer and on the Chancellor’s Board of Visitors at North Carolina Central University and community volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. 

A lifelong learner, Mike is a graduate of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators Executive Leadership Institution, a former senior fellow with the American Leadership Forum and N.C. Governor’s Public Management program. He has also graduated from the Public Executive Leadership Academy – University of North Carolina; and, the Leadership, Educating, and Developing (LEAD) program at the University of Virginia.