Hamlet Hires UNC Charlotte Public Policy Doctoral Student as Downtown Leader

The City of Hamlet has hired UNC Charlotte Ph.D. student Chuck McShane as its next Museum Manager and Downtown Coordinator, with his post starting on Jan. 21.

McShane, who currently lives in Davidson, is a Fayetteville native and an avid lover of history. He will take over in managing the Hamlet Depot and Museum programs, according to the city. He will also work directly with the Hamlet Business Development Association to enhance, promote, and revitalize Downtown Hamlet.

“The City received a multitude of qualified applicants all of whom were very talented and capable,” said City Manager Marcus Abernethy. “Chuck’s performance in the selection process as well as his education and experience made him stand out amongst the rest of the applicants. Chuck has the right demeanor and expertise for the position.” Abernethy also noted McShane’s experience working in the fields of history and economic development.

In addition to interviews, the City of Hamlet organized a professional assessment center to evaluate its top candidates for this position. Candidates completed three exercises that tested each candidate’s oral and written abilities. These exercises were designed to evaluate their abilities in performing the job, and representatives from the Richmond County Historical Society, Richmond County Economic Development Department, the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce, the City of Rockingham, the City of Hamlet, the Hamlet Museum Depot Board, the National Railroad Museum, the Hamlet Business Development Association, and the Small Business Center at Richmond Community College assessed the responses.

“Hamlet has a fascinating history and an promising future,” McShane said. “The city and its partners showed a deep commitment to Hamlet history and made a huge investment in the city’s future with the Depot restoration project. It is an honor and an enormous responsibility to be entrusted with maintaining and strengthening that investment.”

McShane is a research assistant with UNC Charlotte Urban Institute and a freelance writer with Our State Magazine and Charlotte Magazine. He is also the author of one book, A History of Lake Norman: Fish Camps to Ferraris.

McShane has previously worked as a curatorial research assistant at the Charlotte Museum of History, where he helped curate exhibits on the history of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and wrote grants to fund maintenance and interpretation of a 1774 colonial home.

He is pursuing his Public Policy doctoral degree, with his dissertation focused on small-town economic development. He earned his Master of Public Administration, and a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in history at UNC Charlotte.

Image courtesy of Laura McShane