GRANITE QUARRY — Granite Quarry announced on Wednesday that interim public works director Colton Fries has been tabbed for the permanent role. The move comes after the town promoted its former public works director, Jason Hord, to town manager.

Fries has worked with Granite Quarry since October of 2017, and has continued to move up through the ranks of the public works department in his seven years. He has held the roles of crew leader, assistant public works director and was named the interim public works director after Hord had to give up the role due to his promotion.

“Colton has been a valued employee for a number of years, I have watched him grow from a young man out of college with wildland and forestry degrees to a husband and now father. He is well-liked in the community and well-respected amongst his peers and the town is fortunate to have him,” said Hord.

Fries will take over the leadership of a nine-person department that includes day-to-day town operations such as building and grounds maintenance, park maintenance, street maintenance, leaf and limb collection and sanitation contracts, among other responsibilities. Recently, Fries was tasked with assessing street needs throughout the town and getting estimates for street improvements.

Fries, is a Rowan County native and still lives in the county with his wife Miranda and nine-month-old daughter Maggie. He graduated from Haywood Community College with an associate’s degree in forestry management. He is also a self-described loyal Atlanta Braves fan.

The director of public works position was officially opened up for applications after the town zeroed in on Hord as its main candidate for town manager. Before being named interim town manager, Hord was the public works director and chief of the Granite Quarry Fire Department.