Chris Blue
Public servant in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with nearly three decades of experience in municipal government,
Chris Blue is a longtime public servant in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with nearly three decades of experience in municipal government, public safety, and executive leadership. A Chapel Hill native, he graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in radio, television, and motion pictures and later earned a Master of Public Administration from North Carolina State University.
Blue joined the Chapel Hill Police Department in 1997 as a patrol officer and advanced through every major rank within the department. His progression included roles as crime prevention officer, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, assistant chief, and ultimately police chief, a position he held from 2010 to 2022.
Following his retirement from law enforcement, Blue transitioned into broader municipal leadership. He was appointed interim town manager for Chapel Hill effective January 2023 and was subsequently selected as permanent town manager in August 2023. In that role, he oversaw town operations, budgeting, and cross-departmental coordination. Over the course of his career, Blue has combined operational experience with executive leadership responsibilities.