Asheville has welcomed a new city manager, Dakisha “DK” Wesley, who was sworn in on Thursday in a ceremony attended by many of her supporters. Wesley steps into the role at a critical time for the city, following the retirement of Debra Campbell in December 2025.
Wesley, who previously served as an assistant manager for Buncombe County, addressed the pressing issues facing Asheville, which have been compounded since Hurricane Helene struck the area in late 2024. “Housing affordability, infrastructure needs, climate resiliency, workforce stability, and public safety are among a few,” Wesley highlighted in her speech. “None of these issues can be resolved in isolation. They require partnership between governments, community organizations, the business community, residents and regional partners.”
Emphasizing a collaborative and data-driven approach, Wesley assured her audience that her decisions will be “grounded in data, shaped by community voices, and guided by commitment to fairness.”
With an annual salary of $265,000, Wesley takes over from Debra Campbell, who served as city manager for seven years. Campbell was known for her calm and steady leadership through numerous challenges, including two water crises, a pandemic, a period of racial reckoning, and, most recently, the impact of Hurricane Helene.
Campbell’s tenure also included managing a turbulent police department that saw three different police chiefs in six years. The department faced significant criticism in 2020 during the George Floyd protests, notably for dismantling a protester medical station and using tear gas on demonstrators.
Wesley begins her duties on January 12, with one of her first major tasks being the appointment of a new police chief. This follows the recent retirement of Mike Lamb, the most recent chief, who stepped down last month. For more details on Mike Lamb’s retirement, visit this link.
