Alumni Story

I have a true heart for public service. I really want to leave it better than I found it, meaning the community.”

Dalton Pierce came to Catawba College with thoughts of becoming a physical therapist. Then he took Dr. Michael Bitzer’s class, “Introduction to American Politics”. The rest, as the saying goes, is history. In Dalton’s case, it was political science.

“I found out about city management in my sophomore year. I had a long talk with Dr. Bitzer about what it takes to go into city management. He said you’re going to have to get a master’s degree. I worked hard to get that GPA up.” 

Football was one of Dalton’s reasons for choosing Catawba; he played football all four years. His family being in nearby Mooresville was another.

After graduation, Dalton did an internship with the Town of Mooresville, “That was on the engineering side, doing GIS (geographic information systems). But I got to float around to different departments, learning about those areas of local government.”

In 2016, Dalton started work for the Town of Indian Trail, NC. He earned his master’s degree in 2019. Soon after, he began his first town administrator job in Blacksburg, SC in 2020. “I was new to South Carolina. Government here is very different; there’s not the local government commission like in North Carolina, and it has half the government entities compared to North Carolina. I thought I was in the wild wild west,” Dalton smiles. “In the end, it has all been for the good. I believe God placed me in South Carolina, and the experience has been nothing but a blessing.”

Dalton became city manager of York, SC in 2022. He describes his first day on the job: “We had a council meeting. I didn’t even know where the bathroom was, or my office.” The council told him, “We’re going to build a hotel downtown.” Dalton says, “It was a trial by fire in many aspects: economic development, budget, policy, guidance. It was a $17 million investment in the heart of downtown. That’s something that many city managers don’t get the opportunity to experience. Being in York for nearly four years now, I feel like the portfolio of exposure to different projects, services, programs, has been immense. I could spend thirty years somewhere else and see half of the things that I’ve been able to be a part of here.”

In 2026, Dalton was honored as City Manager of the Year by the publication Gov Business Review, which recognizes excellence in local government leadership. York has experienced significant growth and transformation since Dalton began his leadership role there. South Carolina was in the top five states for growth in 2025, and York was its fourth fastest-growing municipality. Dalton expects another 8 to 9% population increase in 2026.

Dalton turns the spotlight on his council and staff. “They’re a great council, very supportive, and I try to give them the information they need to make the best decisions possible. The city manager of the year recognition is great, and I appreciate it. But I’m not in this business for accolades. I may never get another one. But it’s truly due to my staff, at all levels. That’s been fulfilling to see us come a long way in a short amount of time, but we’ve had to do that. It has been very rewarding because as the City of York is growing, my staff needs to grow, maybe not in numbers but in capacity and the human capital aspect. I take a lot of pride and passion in the well-being of my staff. Seeing them thrive has been very fulfilling.”

Catawba helped prepare Dalton for his profession.  “As a city manager I have to shift gears a lot. At Catawba, there was football, going to class, studying, having to shift gears and be polished in all those areas and perform at a high level was a great skill set that I learned.”

Classes he took with Dr. Bitzer, Dr. Gordon Grant, and Dr. Maria Vandergriff-Avery stand out to Dalton for helping to hone his writing. “Writing skills I use every day, dealing with the public, writing an informative email to council about a policy, budget item, current event, or pending state legislation, explaining how it impacts us short term and long term.”

Catawba also enabled Dalton to develop strong social skills.  “Catawba is a melting pot of different backgrounds and individuals. Being able to form those relationships, working together on group projects, that’s been important.”  He appreciates the lifelong friends he made at Catawba.

Dalton shares other lessons learned. “Success needs to be defined by you, not the world. Be patient, not everything is going to happen on your timeline. Enjoy the moments. Cultivate those long-term friendships, mentorships, professional relationships. Reach out for that guidance. Not all guidance is great, but figure that out.”

Dalton knows work-life balance is important in a job that can be 24/7. Dalton enjoys spending his time off with his wife. He also loves playing golf and working out. “I do enjoy a good veg on the couch and binge watch some Netflix, I’m not immune to that,” he smiles.

More life transitions are on the horizon for Dalton. He and his wife are excitedly expecting their first child this fall.

Those hotel plans the city council sprang on him on his first day are coming to fruition; the hotel is slated to open October 2026.

Dalton will complete his doctoral degree in 2027. Teaching or being an adjunct professor may be in his future. Just not yet.

Dalton likes being a city manager. He laughs, “If you would’ve told me what city management was in my sophomore year at Catawba, I would’ve said man, I’m a glutton for punishment. But I have a true heart for public service. I really want to leave it better than I found it, meaning the community.” 

Smiling, Dalton adds, “This is my calling and I’m happy about it.”