Eric Combs Selected as City Support Services Director 

Assistant City Manager Mitch Johnson announced today (Friday) the selection of Eric Combs as Support Services Director. The Support Services Department oversees facilities maintenance, technical services, franchise administration and fleet maintenance for the city. Combs has served as Acting Director since March 2000. During that time, he’s been instrumental in leading and managing the department as well as promoting regional interagency cooperation for public safety dispatch and radio communications, negotiating inter-local agreements for the implementation of regional radio services and serving as project manager for the replacement of public safety systems.

Combs received his BA from Appalachian State University in Technical Management in 1985. He received his Master of Public Administration from UNC-Greensboro in 1990. He was hired by the City in 1985 as an Electronics Technician. In 1990, he was promoted to Technical Systems Manager, where he worked until becoming Acting Director of Support Services.

Combs is a member of the International City Manager’s Association (ICMA), the Associated Public Communications Officers Association (APCO), the NC Smartnet User’s Group (NCSUN), and the International Nortel Networks Meridian Users Group (INNMUG). He currently serves as President of the Eastern Region Motorola Trunked Users Group (MTUG).

In announcing his selection, Johnson noted that, "Eric is an employee that exemplifies our core values. His focus on stewardship of City resources and respect for his fellow City employees has been a constant no matter what role he has played. He is recognized nationally as an expert in large-scale public safety communications systems and was a crucial part of our ability to partner with Guilford County to develop a Countywide Public Safety communications system second to none. I am personally gratified to see one of our own recognized by the selection committee as the best."

Combs' promotion begins immediately. His starting salary is $84,992.