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Roanoke City Manager Cowell Resigns. Here's What Led Up To It.

In the wake of toxic workplace claims, City Manager Bob Cowell resigned and Council installed Mayor Sherman Lea as an acting city manager.

Henri Gendreau

• 7 min read
Roanoke City Manager Bob Cowell on Monday had his resignation accepted by City Council. Above, Cowell, who's led the city since 2017, speaks to the media on Oct. 31, 2023 during a press conference on Police Chief Scott Booth's swearing-in. PHOTO BY HENRI GENDREAU FOR THE ROANOKE RAMBLER

Roanoke City Manager Bob Cowell is out of a job, in the wake of toxic workplace claims that have rocked city hall.

City Council on Monday unanimously accepted Cowell’s resignation and put Mayor Sherman Lea in charge as an acting city manager following Cowell’s June 7 departure.

A national search firm will help the city name an interim city manager “soon” as well as find a permanent manager, the city said in a late Monday press release.