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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;background:white">
<a name="_Hlk50625707"></a><a name="x__Hlk532890118"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><b><span style="font-size:48.0pt;font-family:"Avenir LT Std 55 Roman",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><img width="148" height="148" style="width:1.5416in;height:1.5416in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01DB2EC4.430D1480" alt="A close up of a sign
Description automatically generated"></span></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:x__Hlk532890118"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><b><span style="font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Avenir LT Std 55 Roman",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:x__Hlk532890118"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><a name="_Hlk50627857"></a><a name="_Hlk86910929"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><b><span style="font-size:48.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">NEWS
RELEASE</span></b></span></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:x__Hlk532890118"></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86910929"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
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<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86910929"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">For
Immediate Release Date: 11/04/2024</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86910929"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86910929"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Contact:
Public Information Office Phone: (919) 560-0000/Fax: (919) 560-0020</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86910929"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:2.5in;text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86910929"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">E-mail: </span></b></span></span></span><a href="mailto:publicinformationoffice@dconc.gov" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86910929"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">publicinformationoffice@dconc.gov</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86910929"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86910929"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><u><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:blue;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:3.0in;text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86910929"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86910929"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Hager
Named County Manager by BOCC<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86910929"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><b><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86910929"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Durham,
N.C.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"> – </span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">The
Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) unanimously voted to appoint Interim County Manager Claudia Hager to fill the position as permanent County Manager. Hager will be sworn in officially on Tuesday, November 12, 2024,<sup>
</sup>at<b> </b>the Board’s next regular meeting. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">In announcing the appointment, Chair Nida Allam
said, “We are filled with joy. During her outstanding tenure with Durham County, Claudia Hager has twice stepped in to bridge the leadership gap when she’s been called on. She is a talented, seasoned public administrator who will continue to lead Durham County
Government to the next level!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">In accepting the appointment, Hager said, “I was
honored and humbled when the County Commissioners asked me to consider stepping in permanently as County Manager and provide continuity in leadership during this period. I want to thank them for entrusting me with this opportunity to help lead this wonderful
organization. I am grateful for my 2,200 colleagues, the employees of this great organization, who keep this organization strong. Thank you in advance for your continued support as we work together to support our commissioners, residents, businesses, and the
entire community. Again, I truly appreciate the opportunity to serve and lead. I will save additional remarks for next week's swearing-in ceremony.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Hager also served as Interim County Manager from
May 2021 to March 2022. Prior to her recent appointment, she served as Deputy County Manager, overseeing Durham County Financial Affairs, a portfolio that includes Finance, Grants Administration, and Budget and Management Services.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Hager comes to the role with more than 29 years
of progressive experience, including having worked 14 years with Durham County Government. Her work experience prior to Durham County Government includes serving as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance and Process Improvement at North Carolina Central
University and as Associate Vice President for Finance for the University of North Carolina – General Administration. Her career also includes serving as a Program Coordinator and Policy Analyst with the North Carolina Partnership for Children. Recently, Hager
was honored by the Triangle Business Journal as a 2023 Women in Business Award winner as a Leader in Finance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Hager earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics,
with a minor in Finance from Winston-Salem State University. She completed her Master of Public Administration from North Carolina State University. She is a Class IV Graduate of Leadership North Carolina. She is a member of the Government Finance Officers
Association (GFOA) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">For more information about this announcement, email
the Durham County Public Information Office at </span></span></span><a href="mailto:publicinformationoffice@dconc.gov"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">publicinformationoffice@dconc.gov</span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">###</span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50627857"></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk50625707"></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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