First day on the job for Portsmouth’s new city manager

KaMaria Braye
·1 min read

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – Portsmouth’s new city manager started his first day on the job Monday. Steven Carter was appointed in March 2024 in a 4-3 vote. He was sworn into the position in April 2024.

Portsmouth swears in new city manager

Carter came to Portsmouth from Albany, Georgia. He is an Air Force Veteran with more than 30 years of experience in information technology and leadership.

For more than a year, The City manager position was unfilled. MiMi Terry served as Interim City manager during that time.

Portsmouth Council appoints new city manager Steven Carter in 4-3 vote

However, the city manager role in Portsmouth has a rocky history. The timeline of former city managers can be found below:

  • 2015 – 2020: Dr. Lydia Pettis Patton (Resigned)

  • April 2021 – May 2022: Angel Jones (Fired)

  • June 2022 – Jan 2023: Former Police Chief Tonya Chapman (Fired)

  • Jan 2023 – April 2024: MiMi Terry (Interim)

Carter will be the fourth person to step into this role since 2020.

The interim city manager, MiMi Terry, was the preferred pick for Mayor Glover and councilmembers Mark Hugel and Bill Moody.

Carter said he plans to lead with transparency and is aware of the challenges within the city.

“We have to see value in the brand that is Portsmouth and each of us must be committed to protecting the brand,” he said. “I’m fully committed to leading our city through this transition with unwavering professionalism, dedication, and determination.”

Carter’s salary is $255,000.

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