The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners has unanimously appointed Kelly Sifford as interim county manager, effective immediately.

Sifford, who has served Cabarrus County for more than 25 years, accepted a two-year appointment to the role, bringing continuity and institutional depth to county leadership during a period of transition.

If a permanent county manager is selected within that two-year window, Sifford will return to her most recent position as deputy county manager.

Board of Commissioners Chairman Jeff Jones pointed directly to Sifford’s deep familiarity with county government as the driving factor behind the appointment.

“Kelly’s expertise combined with her years of service to Cabarrus gives the county needed stability,” Jones said. “The board appreciates her dedication, and we look forward to continuing our work with her.”

The unanimous vote reflects a board confident in its choice, and in the institutional knowledge Sifford brings after more than 2.5 decades navigating county operations at nearly every level.

Sifford’s path to the interim county manager role is among the most comprehensive in Cabarrus County’s organizational history. She has held positions spanning planning, development, administration, and executive leadership, making her one of the most experienced public servants in the region.

Her roles with Cabarrus County have included:

• Deputy County Manager
• Assistant County Manager
• Planning and Development Director
• Senior Planner
• Community Development Manager

Before joining Cabarrus County, Sifford served the City of Concord for five years, adding municipal government experience to what would become a long record of public service to the broader community.

Throughout her career, Sifford has taken on some of the county’s most complex capital and planning initiatives. Her project management record includes:

• Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center construction
• Courthouse feasibility study
• Bethel School reuse project
• Leak Goforth Economic Study
• Stephen M. Morris Behavioral Health Center

That portfolio demonstrates a consistent ability to move large, multifaceted public projects from concept to completion, a skill set well-suited to the demands of the county manager role.

Sifford expressed gratitude for the appointment and outlined her future priorities.

“I am honored to serve as Cabarrus County’s interim county manager,” she said. “I look forward to collaborating with the board, county leadership, employees, and community members to continue delivering exceptional service to our residents.”

Sifford holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration, both from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is a certified planner through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), and a graduate of the UNC School of Government Municipal and County Administration and Public Executive Leadership Academy programs, credentials that reflect both the academic grounding and professional development she has sustained across her career.

With her appointment effective immediately, Sifford steps into the county manager role as the Board of Commissioners begins its search for a permanent appointment. The two-year appointment structure ensures consistent leadership throughout that process while preserving Sifford’s long-term position within county government regardless of the outcome.