Black Mountain Appoints Interim Manager, Fire Officers Earn Global Credential

The Town of Black Mountain announced the appointment of Richard N. Hicks as Interim Town Manager and recognized two senior fire department leaders for international professional credentialing, moves that town officials say will strengthen emergency management and recovery oversight during a critical period.

Hicks is scheduled to begin his duties on Jan. 20, 2026. The council highlighted his municipal experience and noted his background in emergency management and disaster recovery, qualifications that align with the town’s ongoing post-storm work. The appointment provides administrative continuity as the town advances recovery capital projects and addresses budget amendments and other items tied to recent storm impacts.

In the fire department, Deputy Chief Doug Morrow and Division Chief Christopher Carlock were recognized for earning a Commission on Professional Credentialing designation. The town noted that both men are among only 302 people worldwide to hold this credential, an indication of specialized professional standards and training at the leadership level of Black Mountain’s emergency services.

Town council business from the Dec. 8, 2025 meeting was summarized for residents, including routine consent agenda approvals alongside updates on recovery capital projects and budget amendments related to storm recovery. Those items reflect ongoing municipal efforts to repair infrastructure and allocate funds that will affect local services and timelines for restoration work.

Residents interested in town government can attend a slate of January meetings: an agenda meeting on Jan. 8, a council meeting on Jan. 12, a board of adjustment session on Jan. 15, and an Active Mobility meeting on Jan. 20. These gatherings provide opportunities for public input on recovery priorities, mobility planning, and other municipal decisions that will shape daily life and local transportation options.

Community programming and services were also noted in the town bulletin, including the Valentine Greenway Challenge and the Cabin Fever Defeater series, alongside a trash and recycling calendar insert. The town encouraged residents to subscribe to Notify Me for alerts about meetings, service changes, and emergency notices, a practical step for staying informed as recovery work continues.

Taken together, the personnel appointments and credential recognitions reinforce Black Mountain’s focus on professional emergency leadership while the council’s recovery-related actions and upcoming meetings invite public participation as the town moves from response to rebuilding.