Pierce County’s new interim county manager is a familiar face.
Pierce County Commissioners voted unanimously to hire Thomas Sauls as Interim County Manager at a called meeting Monday night. The action follows County Manager Raphael Maddox’s resignation announcement made at the regular commissioner meeting on December 2. Maddox had served as county manager for a little over two years.
“I am excited to get started and help out. I have been trying to work some and familiarize myself with county operations,” Sauls said.
Sauls has served as Pierce County’s Clerk of Superior Court for 24 years before retiring in December, 2024 after six terms in office.
Sauls is also active in the community as a faithful and active member of Patterson Baptist Church and as a dedicated volunteer with the Pierce County Volunteer Fire Department.
Sauls will take over as Interim County Manager January 5, 2026. Maddox’s last day will be Thursday, January 1, 2026.
Sauls will serve until a permanent manager is hired.
County Chairman Neal Bennett said that there is no time frame for selecting a permanent County Manager.
Maddox said at the time of his resignation he had been offered another position with an offer that he could not turn down. He declined additional comment, pointing out that his hiring for the new job will not be official until January 1, 2026.
Under the terms of his employment contract dated October 4, 2023, Maddox will receive a severance payment in the amount of $29,378.76.
