Cleveland County celebrates legacy of longtime manager

Lane Alexander was one of those rare county managers who lived his entire life in the county he worked for.

Lane Alexander served as Cleveland County manager for 17 years. (Photo courtesy Cleveland County)

Alexander, a longtime Cleveland County manager, died Dec. 11 at the age of 61 after a two-and-a-half-year battle with liver cancer. He was born in Cleveland County and lived there as a child, a teenager, and an adult, something the county considered to be irreplaceable.

Alexander began his career with the county as a purchasing agent before moving up the ranks to become assistant finance director, finance director and later assistant county manager, a position he held for 17 years under Joe Hendrick. Groomed by Hendrick to assume the county manager's post upon his retirement, Alexander held the position for 17 years before retiring in 2004. All told, he served 33 years with the county.

According to a resolution adopted by the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 5, "he set a standard of excellence in commitment to public service and leadership, dedicating himself not only to the growth, success and future of Cleveland County, but to preserving our history ... a dedication evidenced through his continued involvement in our community after his retirement."

"We knew each other for 35 years or more," current County Manager David Dear told The Shelby Star. "He was just a good friend and a great man."

His accomplishments include facilitating a smooth transition following a school merger and serving as a major voice in a partnership to bring a Wal-Mart Distribution Center to Shelby.