Special to Iredell Free News

Statesville City Manager Ron Smith announced Thursday that Deputy Fire Chief Andy Weatherman will serve as interim fire chief.

Chief Spencer Lee announced his resignation earlier this month. His last day is Friday, December 13.

“I am certain that Chief Weatherman will do a great job of holding the reins for the city while we are in the process of filling the position of chief,” Smith said in a news release.

Weatherman has been with the department more than 25 years and has been a deputy chief for 20 months.

“He has had a role in the operations of the department and certainly understands what is needed as an administrator,” the city manager added.

Weatherman got his start in fire service in 1988 as a volunteer at Lake Norman Volunteer Fire Department, where he has also served as volunteer fire chief. He started his career in Statesville in 1993 as a rookie firefighter.

Since his hire, he has worked his way up through the ranks to battalion chief and then deputy chief in 2018.

The process for hiring the next fire chief will begin immediately, said Smith, who is responsible for the hiring decision. The next steps include engaging an outside firm to oversee much of the process, including interviewing stakeholders, surveying fire department employees, and accepting and screening applications.