Contributed

City of Albemarle City Manager Michael Ferris announces the hiring of Dana Chaney as the city’s new human resources director.

Chaney will begin her duties on March 11, replacing longtime director Robert Whitley, who will be retiring in March after a 30-year career with the city of Albemarle. (See story on Whitley’s career at https://www.thesnaponline.com/2019/03/01/hr-director-robert-whitley-plans-to-listen-to-and-play-sweet-music-in-his-retirement/ )

Chaney will be a member of the city’s management team and will work closely with the city manager and assistant city manager to assure the city advances its human resources business practices, recruits and retains top talent, and further embeds its culture of leadership and values.

The city conducted an extensive search and evaluation process to identify the next director. A select group of candidates participated in the process conducted by an assessment panel comprised of local citizens representing business and industry, the non-profit sector, and the human resources management profession.

Chaney is a Stanly County native and a graduate of West Stanly High School. She earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a master’s in business administration from Pfeiffer University.

Chaney began her human resources career managing recruitment and employee relations for the Concord Telephone Company as it re-branded and expanded into new markets. As an human resources generalist, Chaney identified the need for strategic training and development, created an online university and also introduced succession planning and career development programs.

Chaney also served as an instructor for Stanly Community College for several years and was introduced to the team at Albemarle when she facilitated the organization’s leadership development training.

She was initially drawn to the human resources director role because of her “desire to join such a great group of individuals.”

Most recently Chaney served as an human resources consultant where she assisted a variety of organizations with navigating change. She has managed recruitment, coaching, performance management, development of policies and procedures, employee relations, benefits administration and payroll.

She is certified as a senior professional in human resources and is a facilitator with Development Dimensions International.

When asked about working for the city of Albemarle, Chaney said: “This is the perfect time for me to work in my hometown to be a part of the exciting things happening in Albemarle.”

In her leisure time, Chaney enjoys spending time with her husband and three children participating in outdoor activities, singing and enjoying music.

“Ms. Chaney comes to the city with a strong background in training, development and recruitment,” Ferris said. “From an HR perspective, she understands the needs and challenges
of the city. Overall, Ms. Chaney is the right person to continue to modernize our HR practices to address an ever-changing work environment and help us better attract strong talent in a very competitive job market.”

— City of Albemarle