The Top of the Arc
By: Sean R. Stegall
The Top of the Arc focuses on how local governments and the people they serve can cocreate exceptional communities through innovation, collaboration, and adaptation.
In 2016, the Town Council of Cary, North Carolina appointed change-agent Sean R. Stegall to manage the thriving community of more than 180,000 people from more than 60 countries with a national reputation for excellence — safe neighborhoods, extensive bike-friendly parks and greenways, environmental stewardship, robust business climate, and premier sports venues. With vacant land becoming scarce, the development trends that fueled Cary’s successes over five decades would have to change, and Stegall’s job was to “keep Cary Cary” while, at the same time, implementing the Imagine Cary Community Plan, a policy and strategy document years in the making that would address these trends and carry the city forward to 2040. Instilling a “people first” philosophy, Stegall and the elected Cary Town Council are reshaping local government through collaboration, experimentation, innovation, and adaptation. Cary remains an exceptional place to call home, an inspiring destination for visitors, and a compelling case study for helping keep cities strong.
About Author
Sean R. Stegall was born in Crete and raised in Galesburg, IL, Sean R. Stegall brings more than a quarter-century of experience to successfully address the greatest challenges and opportunities for America’s local governments.
As Cary, NC’s CEO, this means being keenly focused on Cary’s future by ensuring the implementation of the 2040 Imagine Cary Community Plan.
Imagine Cary, which was crafted by more than 1,000 people, is the blueprint for “keeping Cary Cary” as the community shifts from a fast-growing to maturing city of 191,000 residents. This means fixing things by realigning people, processes, and purposes for an ever-changing future.
For his part, Sean is personally involved in Council relations, organizational development, and employee coaching as well as promoting technological advancements, strengthening Cary’s role as a regional partner, and raising Cary’s profile on the national and global stages.