BY GWEN ALBERS/MANAGING EDITOR

gwen.albers@tidewaternews.com

COURTLAND—Southampton County has hired an assistant county administrator.

Jon Mendenhall, director of engineering services for the City of Albemarle, N.C., will begin working on April 25. Mendenhall will be paid $65,144 annually.

He replaces Jay Randolph, who resigned in September. Randolph was paid $66,447 annually. He is now the administrator for Lunenburg County.

“I was just very excited,” Mendenhall said about being offered the position. “Words can’t really express how happy I am.”

The 28-year-old has been in his current job since 2006 and worked in local government since 2004, said county administrator Mike Johnson.

Originally from High Point, N.C., Mendenhall received a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in geography from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 2003 and is working on a master’s degree in science and technology at Eastern Carolina University.

The county received nearly 30 applications for the position.

Mendenhall said he applied because he believes Southampton County is a good community with good people.

“I really think Mike Johnson and the board of supervisors are very knowledgeable,” he said. “ I think it’s a good fit for both of us.”

For economic reasons, Johnson had suggested last year to not hire a replacement for Randolph. The Board of Supervisors wished to fill the position.