Since July 2015, Lee Worsley has served as Executive Director of the Central Pines Regional Council, the primary regional organization for 50 local governments across the seven-county Research Triangle Region.
Lee holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Appalachian State University, with a specialization in town and city/county management. In 1997, he completed a master’s degree in public administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Lee has 27 years of public service experience, including Deputy Durham County Manager, Assistant Catawba County Manager, Greene County Manager, and Assistant to the Goldsboro City Manager.
He has held numerous leadership positions in the profession, including President of the North Carolina City/County Management Association, President of the UNC MPA Alumni Association, President of the Appalachian State University Local Government Alumni Association, and President of the North Carolina Association of Regional Councils. He has also served as Southeast Vice President of the International City/County Management Association and currently serves as an At-Large Board member of the Civic Foundation. Lee is also the National Association of Regional Councils representative on the FirstNet Public Safety Advisory Committee.
Lee was recognized as one of 250 Champions of Local Government across the United States by the National Academy of Public Administration in 2026 as part of the Academy’s celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary.
