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Mayor and City Council
Our Government Structure
The City of Mount Holly has a Council-Manager form of government with a Mayor and six Council Members. The Mayor is elected every four years in November, and the Council Members, elected at-large, serve four-year staggered terms. The City Council appoints a professional City Manager to run the day-to-day operations.
Together the Mayor and City Council members are responsible for establishing the general policies under which the City operates including the following:
The City Council meets at 7:00 PM on the 2nd Monday of every month. Work sessions are held at 6:30 PM on the 4th Monday of every month. Meetings are open to the public and are held at the Municipal Complex located at 400 East Central Avenue, Mount Holly, NC 28120.
To view meeting agendas, meetings, and our live feed, click here.
Our City CouncilPictured left to right: Bryan Hough, Christina Pawlish, Lauren Shoemaker, Jeff Meadows, Phyllis Harris, David Moore, Ivory Craig, Jr.
Mayor Bryan Hough
bryan.hough@mtholly.us
Bryan Hough grew up in Mount Holly and attended Ida Rankin Elementary, Mount Holly Junior High, and graduated from East Gaston High School in 1986. He attended UNC-CH and was a 4-year letterman on the Tarheel football team. Bryan married Gina Helton Hough in 1991, and in 1995, Gina and Bryan moved back to Mount Holly. Bryan has more than 25 years of experience in Employee Benefits and Insurance Brokerage services. He was elected to the Mount Holly City Council in 1998 where he served until 2003 when he was elected to his first term as Mayor. After taking four years away from the city, he was elected as Mayor in 2009 and is currently serving his 5th term. Bryan and Gina have two children, Jack and Mattie.
Councilwoman Phyllis Harris - Mayor Pro Tem
phyllis.harris@mtholly.us
Phyllis grew up in Mount Holly and graduated from Mount Holly High School in 1972. She married another Mount Holly native, Ronnie Harris. Their son, Garren grew up in Mount Holly and graduated from East Gaston High School. She and her family are glad that they were raised in such a warm and caring environment and feel grateful that their son could experience growing up here as well. Councilwoman Harris served on the Mount Holly City Council from 1991 to 2007, serving twice as Mayor Pro Tem. She has been very active in many county, state, and national associations including the Transportation Advisory Committee from 1996 to 2007, the North Carolina League of Municipalities Board of Directors in Raleigh from 1996 to 1998, and the Urban Open Leadership Institute in Charlotte.
Current Position(s): North Carolina League of Municipalities Board of Directors
Councilwoman Lauren Shoemaker
lauren.shoemaker@mtholly.us
Lauren moved to North Carolina in 2003 after completing degrees in Microbiology and Molecular Biology from Penn State University. She began work for the United States Department of Agriculture National Science Laboratory in Gastonia. Her career has evolved from lab technician to Molecular Biologist to laboratory auditor to Biology Section Supervisor over that time. Lauren has lived in Mount Holly since 2006 when she and her husband Jason bought their first house.
She has been a member and board member of the Mount Holly Community Development Foundation, the Gaston County Jaycees, the North Carolina Jaycees, and the Mount Holly Community Garden. Prior to being elected to City Council, she served on the Mount Holly Economic Development Committee, the Mayor's Greenway Taskforce, and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Jason and Lauren have two children and attend Holy Comforter Lutheran Church.
Current Position(s): BOOMA (Business Owners on Main Association) liaison
Councilwoman Christina Pawlish
christina.pawlish@mtholly.us
Christina was born in Germany and grew up moving around while her father served and retired from the Army. After graduating high school, she joined the Navy and served six years on active duty. She is a graduate of Gardner-Webb University with an Associates and Bachelor's degree in Nursing. Shortly after, she attended Lenoir-Rhyne University to obtain a Master's degree in Nursing, and she is currently enrolled in their Doctor of Nursing Practice and Family Nurse Practitioner program. She and her husband Keith have nine children. Councilwoman Pawlish is a Gaston County School Nurse and owner of Accentuate Med Spa.
Current Position(s): Council of Governments (COG)
Councilman David Moore
david.moore@mtholly.us
David is a lifelong resident of Mount Holly and a local Main Street business owner for 41 years. He has two children, Aaron and Madeline. He is an active member of Crossroads Wesleyan Church of which he has attended for 53 years and sits on various committees. Additionally, he serves as Vice-Chair of the Local Board of Administration.
Councilman Moore has been a member of the Mount Holly City Council since 2003, where he has served on numerous boards and committees including the Recreation Commission, ABC Board, Economic Development Committee, Beautification Committee, Transportation Advisory Committee, CROP Walk, Habitat for Humanity, Miss Mount Holly Scholarship Pageant, MS Society and Chair of the Community Dinner. Over the years David has been an active coach and parent in the Mount Holly Recreation Department, coaching and/or participating in every available sport over the past 3 years.
Current Position(s): Beautification Committee, Mount Holly Community Development liaison
Councilman Jeff Meadows
jeff.meadows@mtholly.us
Jeff is married to his wife Hope Meadows and has two children Sophia and Bo. His qualifications include a Master of Public Administration degree, City Planning Certification (AICP), Development Finance Certification (HDFP), more than 28 years of public service experience, 7 years on the Mount Holly Planning Commission, and a coach for many years. He is a retired Real Estate Developer who specialized in Senior and Mixed-Income Housing.
Current Position(s): Stowe YMCA Board
Councilman Ivory Craig, Jr.
ivory.craig@mtholly.us
Ivory grew up in Mount Holly where he attended Ida Rankin Elementary, Mount Holly Middle and Graduated from East Gaston High School in 2006. He was a Police Officer here at the City of Mount Holly from 2015-2018 where he held the positions of Patrol Officer, School Resource Officer and Detective. Currently, he runs “Ivory Craig Real Estate powered by Premier South” as a Real Estate Broker. Ivory is a former board member of the Mount Holly Community Development Foundation and continues to stay active in the community. He’s married to Jennifer Craig who’s also a Mount Holly native and they have three children together.
Current Position(s): Mount Holly Historical Society liaison
To email the Mayor/City Council or request a Proclamation, contact our City Clerk Amy Miller at amy.miller@mtholly.us.
The City of Mount Holly has a Council-Manager form of government with a Mayor and six Council Members. The Mayor is elected every four years in November, and the Council Members, elected at-large, serve four-year staggered terms. The City Council appoints a professional City Manager to run the day-to-day operations.
Together the Mayor and City Council members are responsible for establishing the general policies under which the City operates including the following:
- Appointing the City Manager, City Attorney, and members of various boards and committees.
- Enacting ordinances, resolutions, and orders.
- Reviewing & approving the annual budget and setting the tax rate.
- Authorizing contracts and approving formal bids on behalf of the City.
The City Council meets at 7:00 PM on the 2nd Monday of every month. Work sessions are held at 6:30 PM on the 4th Monday of every month. Meetings are open to the public and are held at the Municipal Complex located at 400 East Central Avenue, Mount Holly, NC 28120.
To view meeting agendas, meetings, and our live feed, click here.Our City CouncilPictured left to right: Bryan Hough, Christina Pawlish, Lauren Shoemaker, Jeff Meadows, Phyllis Harris, David Moore, Ivory Craig, Jr.
Mayor Bryan Hough
bryan.hough@mtholly.us
Bryan Hough grew up in Mount Holly and attended Ida Rankin Elementary, Mount Holly Junior High, and graduated from East Gaston High School in 1986. He attended UNC-CH and was a 4-year letterman on the Tarheel football team. Bryan married Gina Helton Hough in 1991, and in 1995, Gina and Bryan moved back to Mount Holly. Bryan has more than 25 years of experience in Employee Benefits and Insurance Brokerage services. He was elected to the Mount Holly City Council in 1998 where he served until 2003 when he was elected to his first term as Mayor. After taking four years away from the city, he was elected as Mayor in 2009 and is currently serving his 5th term. Bryan and Gina have two children, Jack and Mattie.
- 1997 – Founding member of Heart of Mount Holly – Downtown Redevelopment Committee
- 1997 – 2006 – Mount Holly Springfest Committee and Springfest Golf Classic director (2002 – 2006)
- Coached basketball and baseball 2003 – 2013
- Former Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame Committee Member
- East Gaston Touchdown Club President, 2001 – 2003
- Stuart Cramer Athletic Booster Club President, 2012 - 2016
- 5-Term Mayor – 2003-04 and 2009 – present
- Ordained deacon at Tuckaseege and Grace Baptist Church – served as Chairman of the Board of Directors at Grace Baptist and currently attends First Baptist Church in Mount Holly
Councilwoman Phyllis Harris - Mayor Pro Tem
phyllis.harris@mtholly.us
Phyllis grew up in Mount Holly and graduated from Mount Holly High School in 1972. She married another Mount Holly native, Ronnie Harris. Their son, Garren grew up in Mount Holly and graduated from East Gaston High School. She and her family are glad that they were raised in such a warm and caring environment and feel grateful that their son could experience growing up here as well. Councilwoman Harris served on the Mount Holly City Council from 1991 to 2007, serving twice as Mayor Pro Tem. She has been very active in many county, state, and national associations including the Transportation Advisory Committee from 1996 to 2007, the North Carolina League of Municipalities Board of Directors in Raleigh from 1996 to 1998, and the Urban Open Leadership Institute in Charlotte.
Current Position(s): North Carolina League of Municipalities Board of Directors
Councilwoman Lauren Shoemaker
lauren.shoemaker@mtholly.us
Lauren moved to North Carolina in 2003 after completing degrees in Microbiology and Molecular Biology from Penn State University. She began work for the United States Department of Agriculture National Science Laboratory in Gastonia. Her career has evolved from lab technician to Molecular Biologist to laboratory auditor to Biology Section Supervisor over that time. Lauren has lived in Mount Holly since 2006 when she and her husband Jason bought their first house.
She has been a member and board member of the Mount Holly Community Development Foundation, the Gaston County Jaycees, the North Carolina Jaycees, and the Mount Holly Community Garden. Prior to being elected to City Council, she served on the Mount Holly Economic Development Committee, the Mayor's Greenway Taskforce, and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Jason and Lauren have two children and attend Holy Comforter Lutheran Church.
Current Position(s): BOOMA (Business Owners on Main Association) liaison
Councilwoman Christina Pawlish
christina.pawlish@mtholly.us
Christina was born in Germany and grew up moving around while her father served and retired from the Army. After graduating high school, she joined the Navy and served six years on active duty. She is a graduate of Gardner-Webb University with an Associates and Bachelor's degree in Nursing. Shortly after, she attended Lenoir-Rhyne University to obtain a Master's degree in Nursing, and she is currently enrolled in their Doctor of Nursing Practice and Family Nurse Practitioner program. She and her husband Keith have nine children. Councilwoman Pawlish is a Gaston County School Nurse and owner of Accentuate Med Spa.
Current Position(s): Council of Governments (COG)
Councilman David Moore
david.moore@mtholly.us
David is a lifelong resident of Mount Holly and a local Main Street business owner for 41 years. He has two children, Aaron and Madeline. He is an active member of Crossroads Wesleyan Church of which he has attended for 53 years and sits on various committees. Additionally, he serves as Vice-Chair of the Local Board of Administration.
Councilman Moore has been a member of the Mount Holly City Council since 2003, where he has served on numerous boards and committees including the Recreation Commission, ABC Board, Economic Development Committee, Beautification Committee, Transportation Advisory Committee, CROP Walk, Habitat for Humanity, Miss Mount Holly Scholarship Pageant, MS Society and Chair of the Community Dinner. Over the years David has been an active coach and parent in the Mount Holly Recreation Department, coaching and/or participating in every available sport over the past 3 years.
Current Position(s): Beautification Committee, Mount Holly Community Development liaison
Councilman Jeff Meadows
jeff.meadows@mtholly.us
Jeff is married to his wife Hope Meadows and has two children Sophia and Bo. His qualifications include a Master of Public Administration degree, City Planning Certification (AICP), Development Finance Certification (HDFP), more than 28 years of public service experience, 7 years on the Mount Holly Planning Commission, and a coach for many years. He is a retired Real Estate Developer who specialized in Senior and Mixed-Income Housing.
Current Position(s): Stowe YMCA Board
Councilman Ivory Craig, Jr.
ivory.craig@mtholly.us
Ivory grew up in Mount Holly where he attended Ida Rankin Elementary, Mount Holly Middle and Graduated from East Gaston High School in 2006. He was a Police Officer here at the City of Mount Holly from 2015-2018 where he held the positions of Patrol Officer, School Resource Officer and Detective. Currently, he runs “Ivory Craig Real Estate powered by Premier South” as a Real Estate Broker. Ivory is a former board member of the Mount Holly Community Development Foundation and continues to stay active in the community. He’s married to Jennifer Craig who’s also a Mount Holly native and they have three children together.
Current Position(s): Mount Holly Historical Society liaison
To email the Mayor/City Council or request a Proclamation, contact our City Clerk Amy Miller at amy.miller@mtholly.us.
Message from the Mayor
Welcome! You have discovered a special place. The vibrant City of Mount Holly, North Carolina, my hometown, is nestled along the banks of the picturesque Catawba River. We are just 20 minutes from downtown Charlotte and yet a world away from the harried lifestyle of the big city.
The Mount Holly City Council has also spent the last year working on an updated strategic plan and visioning process for our city. This will ensure that future residential and commercial development in and around our city will meet the high standards of those who live, work, and play here.
We are proud of our joint ventures with the Mount Holly Community Development Foundation, a nonprofit organization made up of residents and local business owners. The foundation is a vital component in our overall plan to gracefully fill an eclectic, unique niche in the Charlotte Metro region. Together, we are making the vision we share for Mount Holly a reality. We are partners in the development and creation of our greenway system. The foundation has also spawned the Mount Holly Community Garden and Mount Holly Farmer's Market and is incubating and promoting the Arts through its other committees.
Join us for a stroll down Mount Holly's brick-lined sidewalks, bike over to enjoy one of the last remaining stretches of undeveloped, natural riverbank on the Catawba, or attend one of our Summer Concert Series, Food Truck Fridays, or annual fireworks display in our historic downtown district. Visit our restaurants and shops, beautiful parks, and budding art community that features a brand-new art gallery.
Come see what we have in our vibrant and thriving community; it is truly something special!
Mayor Bryan Hough
Welcome! You have discovered a special place. The vibrant City of Mount Holly, North Carolina, my hometown, is nestled along the banks of the picturesque Catawba River. We are just 20 minutes from downtown Charlotte and yet a world away from the harried lifestyle of the big city.
I have had the privilege of serving as the Mayor of Mount Holly for four terms. During that time, our City Council has focused on several projects that have enhanced the features of our already-appealing small city:
- A ranking of #7 of 532 cities in North Carolina on the "Safest Cities in North Carolina 2018" list from the National Council for Home Safety and Security, among the other 8 counties that are part of the Metrolina Region
- Downtown's beautiful streetscape that pays tribute to and preserves the historical heritage of Mount Holly
- The Municipal Complex and Grand Hall, located in one of Mount Holly's large historic mills, is a prime example of our desire to move forward while honoring our city's rich history. The complex is home to all of the city's departments and features a Grand Hall to host community events
- An expansive greenway system that will link downtown to this area's prime outdoor recreation destination, the Catawba River. Mount Holly has acquired 220 verdant acres along the river stretching from downtown to the Mountain Island Dam. The property, under a conservation easement, will eventually be home to a total of eight miles of scenic greenways. It will also connect to Tuckaseege Park, which has experienced an extensive renovation and expansion.
- Tuckaseege Park includes a trail system extending all the way to the river, a dog park, a skateboard park, a playground area, and picnic shelters, as well as ball fields and open common space. The park is conveniently located across the river from the US National Whitewater Center.
The Mount Holly City Council has also spent the last year working on an updated strategic plan and visioning process for our city. This will ensure that future residential and commercial development in and around our city will meet the high standards of those who live, work, and play here.We are proud of our joint ventures with the Mount Holly Community Development Foundation, a nonprofit organization made up of residents and local business owners. The foundation is a vital component in our overall plan to gracefully fill an eclectic, unique niche in the Charlotte Metro region. Together, we are making the vision we share for Mount Holly a reality. We are partners in the development and creation of our greenway system. The foundation has also spawned the Mount Holly Community Garden and Mount Holly Farmer's Market and is incubating and promoting the Arts through its other committees.
Join us for a stroll down Mount Holly's brick-lined sidewalks, bike over to enjoy one of the last remaining stretches of undeveloped, natural riverbank on the Catawba, or attend one of our Summer Concert Series, Food Truck Fridays, or annual fireworks display in our historic downtown district. Visit our restaurants and shops, beautiful parks, and budding art community that features a brand-new art gallery.
Come see what we have in our vibrant and thriving community; it is truly something special!
Mayor Bryan Hough