Warren Wood, a Hickory native, began his public service career in 1991 as Town Manager of Badin, North Carolina, before joining the City of Hickory in 1993. Over the next 22 years, he held several key roles, including Purchasing Agent, Human Resources Director, Director of Administration and Budget, and Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer. In March 2015, Wood became Town Manager of Waxhaw, North Carolina, and returned to Hickory in April 2017 to serve as City Manager.  

Wood earned a Bachelor of Arts from UNC Chapel Hill and a Master of Public Administration from Appalachian State University. He is a graduate of the UNC School of Government’s Municipal Administration Course, an ICMA Credentialed Manager, and holds a North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Certification.