City Manager's Office

The City of Spartanburg operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The Council and Mayor appoint the City Manager, who manages the day-to-day functions of the City and carries out the City's vision as defined and directed by the Council.

City Manager Chris Story

Chris Story has lived in Spartanburg since age 13. He was educated in District 7 Schools. He graduated from Wofford College with a B.A. in Economics and has since participated in a variety of post-graduate coursework in business and public administration at Clemson and USC. In the late 1990s, he was the Executive Director of the City-initiated community strategic planning process called Spartanburg Share the Vision. From 2000 through 2009, he was Assistant County Administrator with Spartanburg County, participating in all aspects of local government management. In 2009, he was thrilled to return to the city, serving as Assistant City Manager before being promoted to City Manager in 2018

He has lived for almost 20 years in the Duncan Park neighborhood. His wife, Jessalyn, a Spartanburg native, is the Director of Service Learning at Wofford College. They have two children.

Chris loves wrestling with the issues of effectiveness, value, and equity inherent in local government management. However, he finds it a particular privilege to serve a city that includes his parents, his in-laws, and countless old and new friends.

He compensates for on-the-job pragmatic even-handedness with entirely irrational enthusiasm for Wofford Terrier sports.

Assistant City Manager Mitch Kennedy

Mitch Kennedy was born and raised in Spartanburg. He is a graduate of Spartanburg High School, and he earned a B.A. Degree in Communications from Wake Forest University.

Before joining the City of Spartanburg, Mitch worked as a scouting professional with the Palmetto Council Boy Scouts of America from 1996 to 2005. Prior to the Boy Scouts, Mitch was employed with the Spartanburg Housing Authority and Spartanburg School District 7.

Mitch is actively involved in his community. He currently serves on the following community boards and committees:

  • Urban League of the Upstate
  • Spartanburg Development Corporation
  • Jessie Boyd Elementary School Improvement Council
  • Epsilon Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated
  • Rotarian, Downtown Rotary Club
  • Mt. Moriah Foundation
  • Camp White Pines: AMI Kids
  • Spartanburg Housing Development Corporation

Mitch is married to the former Verotta Means. They have a son, Micah.