Gaston County Attorney William Stetzer is resigning his position with the county to serve an eight-year term as a Superior Court judge for the Fifth Judicial District. His last day with the County is December 31.
Stetzer was appointed to the role by the North Carolina General Assembly earlier this year. He has served as Gaston County’s Attorney for nearly two years, as was the Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina prior to coming to the County.
What they're saying: “Bill has made it a passion to become the attorney that he has for Gaston County,” Board of Commissioners Chairman Chad Brown (R-Riverbend Township) said.
“He has done a tremendous amount of work for us in just a short period of time. We wish him the best in his new role, knowing he will continue to be a public servant we can all be proud of.”
What's next: At its Tuesday, December 12 regular meeting, the Board hired Mount Holly resident John Joye as its next County Attorney.
Joye works as a senior assistant city attorney for aviation for the City of Charlotte.
He spent five years working as the City Attorney for the City of Wilmington before that, including helping that city in the recovery from Hurricane Florence.
Joye, who earned his law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has more than two decades of local government experience. He is serving as Past President of the North Carolina Association of Municipal Attorneys.
“Losing an attorney as dedicated and qualified as Bill is never easy, but the County is extremely fortunate to have someone as seasoned and respected as John Joye to accept the role,” Brown said. “Our board looks forward to working with John in the new year, and are confident in his ability to hit the ground running.”
Joye will begin his role with Gaston County on January 29, 2024. In the month between Stetzer’s departure and Joye’s start date, Deputy County Attorney Courtney Rogers will serve as Interim County Attorney.