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Asheville Swears In DK Westlake as City Manager; Westlake Emphasizes Recovery and "Organizational Excellence"
Summary
DK Westlake was sworn in as Ashevilles city manager in a ceremony led by Mayor Esther Manheimer. Westlake pledged a management approach focused on resident-centered service, recovery from Tropical Storm Helene, and priorities including housing affordability and infrastructure renewal.
Mayor Esther Manheimer presided over a swearing-in ceremony at Asheville City Council chambers on Thursday, formally installing DK Westlake as the citys new city manager. Manheimer introduced Westlake as the councils selection and invited staff, family and regional partners to attend the event.
Manheimer highlighted Westlakes local government experience, saying Westlake has more than 25 years of leadership in city and county management and served for six years as an assistant county manager with Buncombe County. Manheimer noted Westlakes experience across budget and finance, human resources, public safety, emergency management and major capital projects, and cited a 2024 alumni honor from the University of Central Arkansas.
Judge Jacqueline Grant administered the oath of office, during which the appointee pledged to "support and maintain the Constitution and laws of the United States and the Constitution and laws of North Carolina" and to "support the provisions of the charter of the City of Asheville and the ordinances of the City of Asheville." (The meeting transcript contains a mis-transcription of "Asheville" as "Ashfield" in the oath; the city charter referenced is the City of Asheville charter.)
In her remarks, Westlake thanked the council, city staff, Buncombe County colleagues, family and the broader Asheville community. "I am committed to leadership that listens, moves with thoughtful yet intentional haste," Westlake said, describing a management philosophy she called "organizational excellence," which she defined as a resident-focused approach tying programs and services directly to outcomes.
Westlake listed several priorities for her term: strategic recovery and long-term resilience following Tropical Storm Helene; housing affordability; infrastructure needs; climate resiliency; workforce stability; and public safety. She said these challenges "require partnership between governments, community organizations, business community, residents, and regional partners." Westlake closed her remarks by thanking the mayor and council for their trust and saying, "Let's get to work."
Manheimer concluded the ceremony by inviting attendees to a reception at PAX Tavern to honor the new manager and adjourned the event.
What happens next: Westlake will begin work with city staff and council under the authority of the City of Asheville; council and staff will continue to develop implementation plans and timelines for the priorities Westlake outlined. No formal votes or policy actions were taken during the ceremony.
