The Apex Town Council confirmed Catherine “Katy” Crosby as the next town manager at the Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 25. Crosby, who is the first woman and the first African American to hold the position, will start work July 12.

Catherine Crosby

“I am looking forward to being part of the continued growth of the community,” said Crosby. “I love being outdoors so I am especially excited about the warm weather and the beautiful parks. Most importantly, I am looking forward to getting to know the community. I appreciate the small town feel and the welcoming feeling I received from Apex residents.”

Currently serving as the chief of staff for Toledo, Ohio, Crosby oversees city operations provided by approximately 2,700 employees, and manages a budget of more than $800 million. She is touted for commitment to community engagement, a passion for mentoring up-and-coming talent, and for building strong teams.

“Ms. Crosby is a proven, inspiring visionary, and compassionate leader who is well prepared to embrace the challenges and opportunities today and ahead for Apex,” said Jacques Gilbert, mayor of Apex.

Recruitment for the position placed a focus on finding a consensus builder who could partner with staff and the community to carry out the town’s strategic goals.

The nationwide search for this position was led by consulting firm Developmental Associates. The process kicked off in February 2021 with input from various stakeholders — including focus groups with members of the community, a public input session, and an online survey — to get a sense of what Apex residents valued in the next manager.

Developmental Associates brought three final candidates forward from the applicant pool of 50 after several rounds of screenings, interviews, and an intensive two-day assessment center where candidates participated in role-plays, presentations, and written exercises designed to assess the skills and knowledge considered critical to the position. Those three candidates participated in interviews with Town Council, and Crosby was chosen as the final candidate. She visited Apex to meet individually with Council Members and senior leadership on town staff.

“We are fortunate to have Katy move us forward together as a community through our established strategic goals,” said Gilbert. “I’m excited about all we will accomplish together with her leadership as our new Town Manager, and grateful for Developmental Associates for their unwavering commitment to service in identifying a solid leader through their process.”

A native of Cleveland, Crosby holds a bachelor’s in accounting from Wilberforce University and a Master of Public Administration from Wright State University. She is a credentialed manager by the International City/County Management Association, and a member of the Ohio Economic Development Association.