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Chatham County Recognizes the Career and Retirement of Emergency Management Director Steve Newton
Post Date:12/09/2025 12:43 AM
PITTSBORO, NC— Chatham County is honoring the distinguished career of Steve Newton, who will retire on December 12, 2025, from his role as Emergency Management Director after more than three decades of leadership and impact.
Over the last 32 years, Newton has been an instrumental figure during times of crisis, participating in numerous local, state, and national emergencies including natural disasters, public health emergencies, cybersecurity events, and many more. Recently, Steve appeared before the Energy & Commerce subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives to discuss Public Safety Communications in the United States.
“Steve's contributions extend beyond immediate disaster response, and he has dedicated his career to public service and emergency management, leaving a lasting impact on communities across North Carolina and beyond,” said Bryan Thompson, Chatham County Manager. “Steve’s commitment to building strong emergency management programs, fostering interagency collaboration, and mentoring future public safety leaders has made a profound difference in Chatham County and North Carolina's ability to face challenges and protect its residents.”
Newton served in critical roles with Orange County Emergency Management (1997-2007), Wake County Emergency Management (2007-2017), and Chatham County Emergency Management (2017-2025), where his work has strengthened public safety, disaster preparedness, and community resilience.
Newton says he will miss the people he has worked alongside the most. “There’s the team I work with every day in Emergency Management and 9-1-1 Communications, and I also get to work with staff and volunteers from every other County department, the fire departments, the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, police departments, EMS, our CERT and Auxiliary Communications Teams, and neighboring county and State Emergency Management colleagues. I can’t say enough about their dedication and professionalism, and it’s sincerely an honor to work alongside them,” said Newton.
After his retirement, Newton says he looks forward to spending uninterrupted time with his family, traveling, and participating in hobbies.
Return to full list >>Over the last 32 years, Newton has been an instrumental figure during times of crisis, participating in numerous local, state, and national emergencies including natural disasters, public health emergencies, cybersecurity events, and many more. Recently, Steve appeared before the Energy & Commerce subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives to discuss Public Safety Communications in the United States.
“Steve's contributions extend beyond immediate disaster response, and he has dedicated his career to public service and emergency management, leaving a lasting impact on communities across North Carolina and beyond,” said Bryan Thompson, Chatham County Manager. “Steve’s commitment to building strong emergency management programs, fostering interagency collaboration, and mentoring future public safety leaders has made a profound difference in Chatham County and North Carolina's ability to face challenges and protect its residents.”
Newton says he will miss the people he has worked alongside the most. “There’s the team I work with every day in Emergency Management and 9-1-1 Communications, and I also get to work with staff and volunteers from every other County department, the fire departments, the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, police departments, EMS, our CERT and Auxiliary Communications Teams, and neighboring county and State Emergency Management colleagues. I can’t say enough about their dedication and professionalism, and it’s sincerely an honor to work alongside them,” said Newton.
After his retirement, Newton says he looks forward to spending uninterrupted time with his family, traveling, and participating in hobbies.