Lawrence, administrative specialist work to make town hall welcoming for residents. - Photo by Jeanna Baxter White

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By Jeanna Baxter White
Word Master Media Group

After a career spanning the private sector, regional leadership, and nonprofit work, Lee Rollins has come full circle—returning home to serve as the town manager of Mocksville, the community he has loved his entire life.
A lifelong resident of Mocksville, Rollins is no stranger to its people, history, or challenges.
“I love Mocksville. I live here, grew up here, and I’m only a five-minute walk from town hall,” he said. “I was fortunate to be elected to the town council, where I served for two years, and was appointed to the community college board. I understand how the moving parts work, and I want to help make this community even better than it is today.”
Rollins earned his bachelor’s in business administration from High Point University and started his professional journey as the first full-time director of the Davie County Chamber of Commerce. It was there that he got a taste of local government, working alongside then-Mocksville Town Manager Terry Bralley on economic development initiatives.
He soon joined Bralley as his assistant and simultaneously pursued professional development through the UNC School of Government’s Municipal and County Administration training program and the Economic Development Institute.
Rollins then spent 15 years in the private sector, working at Mocksville Savings and Loan, which became StoneStreet Bank, and later Baker Furniture in roles that included sales, operations, and strategic planning.
When a health issue in 2008 ended his ability to travel extensively, he and his wife, Melissa, turned to prayer. That period of reflection led to a return to public service.
Encouraged to apply for the town manager role in Bermuda Run, Rollins served there from August 2009 to December 2022. He then worked as a consultant with the Piedmont Triad Regional Council before becoming the first executive director of the Resource Institute in January 2024 – a nonprofit that helps local governments secure grant funding.
“I enjoyed it immensely,” Rollins said of his time at the Institute, “but when Ken Gamble retired as Mocksville Town Manager, several people reached out and encouraged me to apply. I feel like this job brings me full circle.”
His deep roots in the community run through generations. His family moved to Mocksville in 1971 when his father, Bruce Rollins, became manager of the BC Moore department store. His mother, Anne, worked at Central Carolina Bank and Bank OZK.
“My mom and dad taught me to serve and give back to the community,” he said. Rollins remembers his dad and other merchants putting up the Christmas lights downtown. “Dad was also a member of the Optimist Club, and I remember helping mow the grass and painting an emergency room at Davie County Hospital.”
Rollins enters the role with clear priorities and a vision grounded in practicality and compassion. His first-year goals include updating the town’s comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances, and considering a downtown master plan to enhance the downtown to make it a true destination.
“A comprehensive plan allows the opportunity for public input and will become our renewed marching orders for the next five years,” he said.
Rollins emphasized his belief in public/private partnerships.
“Over the last 30 years, I’ve seen our successes, such as partnerships to bring a community college campus to our little county, and partnerships to bring in the YMCA. Public/private partnerships are the way we roll. Everyone has finite resources, but when you come together, you multiply those resources to create transformative projects.
“I applaud the current board of commissioners for the strategic purchase of the Energy United property and their vision for a transformative public-private partnership. By leveraging private investment, we can generate a multiplier effect in economic development – bringing new housing, retail and office space that meets community needs and strengthens our tax base.”
He points to two recent examples of efficiency and strategic collaboration: the town’s decision to decommission its water treatment plant and purchase water from Davie County; and contracting with the Davie County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement.
“These decisions just make sense,” Rollins said. “We would have had to build a new water plant or regionalize water services. Purchasing water from Davie County will reduce the long-term percentage increase in rates for Mocksville customers. The town is paying for capacity in the Davie County water plant. It’s a win-win. And with law enforcement, Sheriff Hartman has demonstrated we have more coverage now than when we operated our own police department.”
Rollins hopes to build on Mocksville’s strengths and support sustainable economic development.
“Our top 10 taxpayers represent 40 percent of the tax base – all industrial users. People wonder how Mocksville’s been able to keep its tax rate low at .29 per $100 for years. It’s because of the people who envisioned taking water and sewer up to the I-40/601 intersection.
“That economic development multiplier effect is huge,” he said. “We want to take downtown Mocksville to the next level. The way to do that is to thoughtfully – and I emphasize thoughtfully – add rooftops. It’s all about thoughtful growth while keeping the feel of Small Town USA.”
Rollins leads with transparency and encourages community input. The town’s social media pages provide regular updates about town happenings. Its website includes budgets and audits, and public meetings are posted to YouTube.
“Only economic development projects, real estate transactions, and personnel matters are exempt from public record due to state statute,” he said. “Everything else is open.”
He values collaboration with the board of commissioners. “Town growth is predicated on the board of commissioners’ vision and policies. A town manager is a consultant and policy implementer. My job is to provide them with information and as many diverging viewpoints as possible, and then work with my team to implement it.”
Rollins operates with an open-door policy and a commitment to service.
“Part of my management style is walking around and engaging with people. I’m a resident, too. I’m invested in this community and open to having conversations with folks about how to make it even better. I’ll hear problems, but I also like to hear solutions. I have a direct phone line, and my commitment is always to return calls.”
He’s committed to working with the leadership team to push back on any silo effects and enhance communication and collaboration between departments. “We want to be as proactive and customer-focused as possible.”
Lee and his wife Melissa, who still works at her family’s business, Daniel Furniture, which is preparing to celebrate 90 years, have two children. Their son, Bo, lives in Mocksville and works for a company that supplies janitorial services for the school system. Their daughter Lillie is studying early elementary education at Appalachian State University. “It wouldn’t hurt my feelings if she chose to come back here to teach,” he said with a smile.
The Rollins family attends First Baptist Church of Mocksville, where Lee facilitates the choir for the 11 a.m. service. He has been involved with Family Promise of Davie County since its inception in 2014 and will rejoin the Rotary Club of Mocksville.
“I am a person of faith, and my faith drives my decision-making,” he said. “That is my feeble attempt to live a life of serving others. The opportunity to give back and my faith walk have led me to public service.”
As town manager, Rollins is committed to creating a welcoming environment at town hall, improving services, and enhancing the quality of life for Mocksville residents.
“My long-term goal is to create an environment where people want to work for the town, while also ensuring efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and best-in-class services. We will always seek process improvements,” he said.
Reach Rollins at lrollins@mocksvillenc.gov or (336) 753-6701.