Smithfield Council Appoints Kimberly Pickett As Interim Town Manager

SMITHFIELD — The Smithfield Town Council voted unanimously on Jan. 20 to appoint Kimberly Pickett as interim town manager, effective Feb. 1, 2026, following the retirement of Town Manager Michael Scott. The council also approved a 10 percent salary increase for Pickett during her interim tenure.

Pickett currently serves as Smithfield’s assistant town manager, a position she has held since July 2025. Prior to joining Smithfield, she had a decade-long career with the Town of Benson, where she rose through the ranks from finance supervisor to town manager.

She began her public service career in banking before moving into local government in 2010 with the Town of Selma. In Benson, Pickett served as finance director, assistant town manager and, beginning in 2022, town manager.

Pickett holds a Master of Public Administration from UNC Pembroke and a bachelor’s degree in communication from East Carolina University. She grew up in the Brogden community east of Smithfield and has longstanding ties to the area; several family members have worked for the Town of Smithfield.

Council members cited Pickett’s financial expertise, local government experience and deep community roots as key factors in their decision to entrust her with the town’s leadership during the transition period.

Pickett steps into the interim role as the council begins planning a search for a permanent town manager after Scott’s retirement. Scott will retire Feb. 1, 2026, ending more than 16 years of service with the Town of Smithfield.