The Wake County Board of Commissioners named David Ellis County Manager on Feb. 12, 2018. 

Ellis had served as interim county manager following the retirement of Jim Hartmann on Oct. 27, 2017. Ellis started his tenure with Wake County in February 2015 when he accepted a deputy county manager position. In that role, he oversaw several departments, including Human Services, Community Services and Environmental Services. 

Prior to coming to Wake County, Ellis served as assistant city manager in Charlottesville, Va., for three years. He also held positions in Fairfax County, Va., including assistant to the county executive, assistant director of Human Services, and manager of the Redevelopment and Housing Authority and the Department of Code Compliance. 

Ellis holds a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University and a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University. He also holds the distinction of credentialed manager through the International City/County Management Association. In addition, Ellis successfully completed the Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executives in State and Local Government program in 2017.