The Administrative staff is composed of three Town employees and two contractors that are responsible for the management of the Town and its departments and committees.  A Citizen-led referendum was approved in November 2007 changing the form of government from Mayor-Council to Council-Manager.  In January 2008 the Town formally adopted the Council-Manager form of Government.

Under this form of government the elected Town Council members are the community leaders and policy makers who establish a vision for Summerfield, and who hire the town manager to carry out policy and ensure that all residents are equitably served. The manager coordinates the work of the employees, who help ensure the smooth and efficient delivery of services. By building public/private partnerships, the manager targets all of a community's resources to solve current problems. The town manager's primary responsibility is to keep our community running smoothly.

To be successful, complex local government operations require strong political leadership, policy development, a relentless focus on execution and results, a commitment to transparent and ethical government, and a strategy for representing and engaging every segment of the community. The town manager:

• Works with elected officials as they develop policies. The manager may discuss problems and recommendations, propose new plans, or discuss issues that affect the community and its residents.

• Ensures that laws and policies approved by elected officials are equitably enforced throughout the town.

• Develops recommendations for new programs indicating scope, cost and impact for consideration by Town Council.

• Seeks feedback from residents and members of the business community to address and solve problems.

• Prepares the annual budget, submits it to elected officials for approval and implements it once approved.

• Supervise employees, committees, and Council appointees.

• Investigates citizen complaints and problems within the administrative organization and recommend changes to elected officials.

• Manages the day-to-day operations of the town.

Town Manager
Michael M. Brandt, AICP, was appointed as the Interim Town Manager in January 2008, having previously served as Town Administrator since September 2003. Mr. Brandt earned a BA from the University of South Carolina and a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of New Orleans. Before joining Summerfield, Mr. Brandt was a Senior Planner with the Guilford County Planning Department for four years.

Town Clerk
The Town Clerk is appointed by the Town Council to serve as the official record keeper of the Town. The clerk also acts as the office manager and is the first contact for many citizens contacting Town Hall. The Clerk’s responsibilities include maintaining official records, documents, and taking meeting minutes at all Council meetings. Valarie Halvorsen joined the Town as Town Clerk in March 2007. Ms. Halvorsen is a long-time resident of Guilford County and recently received a degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Guilford College. Before coming to Summerfield she worked for eight years with the Guilford County Tax Collection Department.

Town Attorney
The Town Attorney gives legal advice and counsel to the Mayor, Town Council, Town Administrator, and all Town departments. The Town Attorney also provides legal advice to all boards, commissions, committees and related officials. Primary duties of the Town Attorney include reviewing and approving all contracts, agreements, ordinances, policies and related documents; representing the Town in legal matters, including instituting suits by the Town and defending the Town in suits brought against it; supervising the drafting of ordinances and resolutions for the Town Council and interpreting the same; and performing legal research in land transactions, general municipal government, and administrative procedures. Mr. William “Bill” Hill, JD, University of Louisville was appointed Town Attorney in February 2006. Mr. Hill is a partner in the Greensboro firm Frazier, Franklin, Hill and Fury, RLLP. He has extensive experience in municipal law having served as outside attorney for a number of North Carolina municipalities and organizations.

Finance Officer
The Finance Officer is appointed to oversee all financial transactions involving government funds. The Finance Officer gives fiscal advice to the Town Council, staff, and various volunteer boards and committees. In addition, the Finance Officer reviews all contracts, agreements, or other disbursements of funds in accordance with the Local Government and Fiscal Control Act. The Finance Officer coordinates the yearly fiscal audit which is conducted in accordance with state law governing local governmental accounting. Mrs. Dana Luther, CPA who holds a BS from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro was appointed Town Finance Officer in September 2005. She is an independent contractor with her own CPA firm, which specializes in small business and governmental accounting.

Parks and Recreation Supervisor

George Holub is the P&R Supervisor responsible for the day-to-day operations of Town parks, insuring that all equipment and facilities are maintained and operating in a safe manner.  In addition, the Mr. Holub is responsible for managing P&R construction projects throughout the Town and is the staff liaison to the P&R Committee.  Mr. Holub began with Summerfield as a park volunteer, and was hired full-time in July 2007.