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Matthews honors departing Town Manager Becky Hawk with tributes, ‘forever honorary citizenship’
Summary
Mayor John Higdon and commissioners praised outgoing Town Manager Becky Hawk for a three-year tenure that officials said professionalized town operations and shepherded large projects. Hawk will leave for a post in Wilmington; commissioners and staff presented tributes and a framed photo and pledged continued collaboration on projects she led.
Mayor John Higdon and the Matthews Board of Commissioners publicly thanked Town Manager Becky Hawk on June 9 as she prepares to leave Matthews for a position in Wilmington.
"By the powers vested in me as the mayor of Matthews I'm gonna grant you a forever honorary citizenship to the town of Matthews," Higdon said during remarks recognizing Hawk's departure. Commissioners, town staff and residents applauded a list of projects officials said Hawk led or helped shepherd to completion.
The board's tributes said Hawk helped professionalize the town's operations, advocated for employees and citizens, and was involved in major projects including the Hendrick Advanced Manufacturing Campus, Discovery Place for Kids and a new fire station. Commissioner remarks emphasized her accessibility and attention to detail; Commissioners Urban, Garner, McCool, Threatt, Tufano and Mayor Pro Tem Hoover each described instances of Hawk answering policy and personnel questions late at night and defending staff and town interests in regional discussions.
Hawk reflected on her time in Matthews, calling it "an absolute privilege and an honor" and saying she is "hopeful for what is ahead for Matthews," adding that she intends to return for ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings. She also thanked the community for embracing her during her nine years in the town.
No formal board action was required for the tributes. In the mayor's regular report, Higdon thanked municipal staff and said Malia (surname not specified in the meeting) has agreed to step into an interim role alongside Interim Town Manager Kurt Walton while the town searches for a permanent replacement.
Why it matters: The town manager runs day-to-day operations and coordinates long-term projects; transitions in that post can affect timing and oversight for capital projects and intergovernmental negotiations such as school and county partnerships.
Hawk's final meeting drew extended remarks from colleagues and civic leaders thanking her for employee advocacy and community-focused leadership. Commissioners noted they will continue work on the projects she helped advance and encouraged public attendance at upcoming openings and commemorations.
