The Southport Board of Aldermen on May 17 voted to name Stuart Turille Jr. as city manager.

Turille succeeds Bonnie Therrien, who held the position for 18 months. A native of Virginia, Turille previously served as county administrator of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, according to a news release.

Southport Mayor Rich Alt stated in the release, “I believe that Stuart is what Southport needs to continue making progress and I am excited that we are welcoming him to our administration.”

According to the release, Turille has been serving in municipalities and counties along the East Coast for over two decades, with experience including revenue generation and cost savings, strategic planning and economic development, and emergency management. Of those two decades, Turille spent a cumulative 12 years of service in the eastern and coastal areas of North Carolina.

Turille and his family will be relocating to Southport, and he will start as Southport’s city manager July 2.