Mark Pope to resign as Lenoir County Economic Development executive director

Longtime Lenoir County Economic Development Executive Director Mark Pope will be resigning from his position.

In a press release, Pope said “It is with excitement and sadness that I inform you that I will be taking a position with Wayne County as the Director and President of the Wayne County Economic Development Alliance, effective Sept. 4. I have enjoyed working with Lenoir County and treasure the relationships that I have made. I see this as an opportunity to grow in my career, as well as bring our communities together and continue to provide for the citizens of Eastern N.C. I look forward to our continued collaborations in the future.”

Lenoir County Commissioner Reuben Davis said he had the utmost respect for what Pope has accomplished.

“He did an outstanding job, and he just became the president of the (North Carolina Economic Development Association), which is a huge honor,” Davis said. “He's very deserving and I’m glad he won’t be going too far. He’ll continue living in Lenoir County, just working in Wayne.”

Lenoir County Vice-Chairman Linda Rouse Sutton said Pope helped educate the board on economic development.

“He taught me so much and as a board he showed us so much,” Sutton said. “He showed that everything has to be a team effort, whether on a city, county or regional basis, and how to talk about certain things. Anywhere he went, people had the highest respect for him.

“We’re really going to miss him in Lenoir County, but I feel like we’ll still be able to benefit on a regional level with him. I know he’s going to do a great job in Wayne County and will look to help us out where he can.”