Fenwick Announces New Town Manager

Fenwick Announces New Town Manager
Fenwick

FENWICK ISLAND – After a nearly six-month search Fenwick Island officials have hired a new town manager.

Municipal officials announced Thursday that Teresa “Terry” Tieman, currently the town manager in Harrington, had been chosen as the next Fenwick Island town manager. The position has been vacant since former town manager Merritt Burke left Fenwick in July to take a position with the Sussex County Association of Realtors.

“We’re really excited,” Mayor Gene Langan said. “We’re happy to welcome her to the Fenwick Island family.”

Tieman has spent the past five years as the town manager in Harrington. Prior to that, she worked for the City of Dover. She will begin working for the Town of Fenwick Jan. 23.

“I am really honored and excited to become the next town manager for Fenwick Island,” she said. “I am looking forward to working with the community, staff, and the council.  I have enjoyed visiting Fenwick Island over the years and now I will be able to be part of the community.”

Langan said town leaders were impressed with Tieman’s extensive 28 years of experience in municipal government. In addition to a master’s degree in business administration and her hands-on experience, Tieman was awarded the “City Manager of the Year” honor by the Delaware League of Municipal Governments in 2015. Langan said she was also president of the City Management Association of Delaware.

“She’s got great experience and great contacts,” he said.

Langan said officials were thrilled to finally fill the town manager position, the duties of which have been handled by Fenwick Island Police Chief William Boyden since Burke’s departure.

Langan said the hiring process had taken some time because it had been handled by the town council — which has to provide advance public notice of meetings — rather than a distinct search committee.

“We got a lot of really good applicants,” he said.

Officials encourage residents interested in meeting Tieman to attend the Jan. 27 council meeting. She says she’s excited to begin work in Fenwick. She and Langan have already discussed the town’s need for a technology audit as well as branding work.

“After meeting with the council, it is clear that they are a team and want the best for their community,” Tieman said. “I am looking forward to becoming part of that team.”

About The Author: Charlene Sharpe

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Charlene Sharpe has been with The Dispatch since 2014. A graduate of Stephen Decatur High School and the University of Richmond, she spent seven years with the Delmarva Media Group before joining the team at The Dispatch.