The Asheville City Council voted unanimously on Dec. 6 to appoint Dakeisha “DK” Wesley as the city’s next manager and to name Assistant City Manager Ben Woody as interim until Wesley assumes the role on Jan. 12, 2026.

Vice Mayor Antoinette Mosley moved to appoint Wesley “as of 01/12/2026 and to be employed as of that date pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement between her and the city,” and the motion was seconded and carried in a roll-call vote. Council members present — the vice mayor, Councilman Hess, Councilwomen Ullman, Rooney, Turner and Smith — each recorded “aye” votes.

The council cited North Carolina statutory authority to hold a closed session to negotiate the amount of compensation and material terms of an employment contract (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-318.11(a)(5), (6)) before making the appointment public. In remarks introducing the motion, the presiding official said the council had conducted a nationwide search that included community surveys, employee interviews and external reviewers.

Wesley, who has served for about six and a half years as an assistant county manager in neighboring Buncombe County, spoke after the vote. “I am deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the next city manager for the city of Asheville,” she said, thanking council members, city staff and residents and pledging priorities that include operational excellence, transparency and inclusivity.

The council also moved — and unanimously approved — a separate motion to appoint Ben Woody, the city’s assistant city manager, as interim city manager effective Dec. 6, 2025, to serve until the full-time city manager assumes the position. The presiding official noted that Deborah Campbell, the outgoing city manager, is concluding her service the same day.

Mayor Manheimer and council members publicly thanked staff who assisted with the search; the presiding official singled out Emily Provence, the city’s human resources director, for guiding the process. The council adjourned after confirming Wesley’s start date and Woody’s interim role.

The appointment is effective Jan. 12, 2026; Woody’s interim appointment is effective Dec. 6, 2025. No salary or specific contractual terms were disclosed during the public portion of the meeting.