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Layne Cole

Cohort 4

Jurisdiction: Hickory

University: UNC-Asheville

Hometown: Roxboro, NC

Biography

Layne Cole served his fellowship in the City of Hickory. He expanded capacity in the City’s Budget Office, introduced Hickory’s first Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) to enhance public accessibility to financial data, and effectively managed over $100 million in bond project revenues and expenditures. Cole’s contributions in crafting the majority of the City’s proposed budget book and handling all departmental budget transfers and revisions were instrumental in ensuring efficient financial management and transparency.

Before LFNC

Cole is a graduate of UNC-Asheville. During his time at UNCA, he published works advocating for sustainable agriculture, racial equity in housing, and equitable finance and lending practices.

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