The City of Asheville's Human Resources Director Shannon Barrett has resigned, according to city spokesperson Kim Miller. An interim director will start next week, City Manager Debra Campbell told council members at their annual retreat.
The city employs about 1,200 people. Barrett served in Human Resources with the city since 2015. She became director in 2021, and her latest salary is listed as $146,578.15.
"Plans are underway to bring on an external Interim Human Resources Director and an executive recruiting firm will be used to hire a permanent replacement," Miller confirmed.
Morale among city employees was very low in early 2023 but is improving, according to Campbell.
Campbell said she has asked an external interim director to step in starting next week, but she did not name the new individual.
At the retreat, Campbell said the findings of a human resources study will be released today.
Prior to her city employment, Barrett was Director of Advancement at the Dogwood Alliance. She also worked in city government in Marietta, Georgia. Barrett did not immediately respond to request for comment.
