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WithersRavenel continues to strengthen its presence in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area with the addition of Mike Legg as Regional Market Executive – Charlotte. Legg will join the firm on June 1, following his retirement as City Manager of Kannapolis on April 30, 2026.
Legg brings 36 years of municipal leadership experience, having led one of North Carolina’s most notable economic transformations during his tenure in Kannapolis. His career reflects a deep understanding of how communities plan, fund, and deliver complex infrastructure and development initiatives, making him a key addition as WithersRavenel expands in one of the fastest-growing regions in the Southeast.
“After more than three decades in local government, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges communities face as they grow and evolve,” said Legg. “WithersRavenel has built a strong reputation for helping communities navigate those challenges with thoughtful planning and technical expertise. What drew me to the firm is its strong commitment to building lasting partnerships and delivering solutions that truly support communities. I am very excited to help expand that impact in the Charlotte region.”
In this role, Legg will serve as the Charlotte market leader, responsible for building and scaling the firm’s regional presence. He will focus on client development, strategic growth, and team expansion, helping translate firmwide strategy into long-term partnerships and measurable impact across the region.
“Mike has spent his career leading communities through growth and change,” said Mark Stephens, Chief Market Development Officer at WithersRavenel. “He understands both the challenges and opportunities local governments face, and how to navigate them effectively. Mike brings a strategic, thoughtful approach to helping private development teams work through regulatory requirements, community sentiment, and complex political dynamics. As demand for housing, economic development, and public infrastructure continues to rise across Charlotte and its surrounding communities, that perspective will be invaluable to WithersRavenel and our clients in this market.”
Legg served as City Manager of Kannapolis for more than two decades, overseeing a $130 million budget and more than 700 employees. During that time, he led a $120 million downtown revitalization initiative projected to generate more than $500 million in private investment and helped guide the transformation of the former Cannon Mills site into the North Carolina Research Campus, representing more than $1.6 billion in public and private investment.
His leadership has been recognized across the region and nationally. Legg was named to the Charlotte Business Journal’s “Power 100,” recognizing the key leaders shaping the region since 2000, and was also recognized as one of the Top CEOs in the Charlotte Metro Region. He is a recipient of the James D. Prosser Excellence in Government Leadership Award and the American Planning Association’s Excellence in Economic Development Award. Most recently, he received the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award, recognizing his decades of servant leadership and impact on the Kannapolis community.
Legg has also maintained strong involvement in regional organizations and initiatives, supporting economic development, infrastructure planning, and community advancement throughout his career.
“At WithersRavenel, we are intentional about how we grow,” says WithersRavenel President and CEO Jim Canfield. “Bringing Mike on board reflects our continued investment and commitment to the Charlotte region. His leadership and experience will help us build a strong, scalable presence that supports both our clients and the communities we serve.”
At WithersRavenel, Legg will play a central role in expanding the firm’s footprint in the Charlotte region, strengthening relationships with local governments and private sector partners, and advancing strategic growth initiatives. His experience in public-private partnerships, capital planning, and organizational leadership will help position the firm to better serve clients navigating growth, redevelopment, and long-term infrastructure investment.
Legg’s addition represents another step forward in WithersRavenel’s broader growth strategy, focused on expanding geographic reach while delivering high-quality, community-centered solutions across the Southeast.