GOLDSBORO, N.C. — The City of Goldsboro has appointed April Johnson Choice as Director of Development Services, marking both a homecoming for the Goldsboro native and the launch of a newly restructured municipal department.
Choice began her role on June 25, taking charge of the newly created Development Services department, which consolidates Community Development, Planning, Inspections, and Code Enforcement under unified leadership.
Strong Educational Background and Municipal Experience
A graduate of Goldsboro High School, Choice brings extensive educational credentials to her new position. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Master of Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville.
Her professional experience spans significant roles in municipal government, including positions with the City of Winston-Salem and the City of Charlottesville, Virginia. Choice has also held leadership and planning positions within nonprofit organizations, providing her with a comprehensive perspective on community development challenges.
City Manager Expresses Confidence in New Leader
City Manager Matthew Livingston praised the selection, emphasizing Choice’s leadership capabilities and vision for organizational growth.
“April Choice is a leader who will not only provide direction but will build our team and make it stronger and more resilient,” Livingston said. “She has great vision and knows what it takes to move an organization forward and we are counting on her to do just that. I am very excited about the future and what April will do for our community which she is already deeply invested in.”
Director Emphasizes Community Connection and Future Vision
Choice described her appointment as both a professional opportunity and a personal commitment to her hometown community.
“I’m honored and humbled to serve as Goldsboro’s Director of Development Services. This is more than a professional homecoming — it’s a chance to give back to a community that shaped me,” Choice said.
She highlighted her appreciation for the city’s character and potential, noting Goldsboro’s historic neighborhoods and what she called its “vibrant potential.” Choice emphasized that the city has always been “a place of inspiration” for her.
Focus on Collaborative Planning and Equitable Growth
The new director outlined her vision for the department’s future, emphasizing collaboration with various stakeholders to achieve comprehensive community development goals.
“I look forward to working alongside a talented and dedicated team, residents, and community partners to build a future that reflects our shared vision: a city where thoughtful planning, equitable growth, and community pride go hand in hand,” Choice stated.
Department Restructuring Aims to Streamline Services
The creation of the Development Services department represents a strategic reorganization by the City of Goldsboro to better coordinate related municipal functions. By bringing together Community Development, Planning, Inspections, and Code Enforcement under single leadership, the city aims to improve efficiency and coordination in development-related services.
Choice concluded her remarks by expressing her long-term commitment to the community’s success: “Together, we’ll ensure Goldsboro thrives for generations to come.”
The appointment signals Goldsboro’s investment in experienced leadership as the city works to balance growth with preservation of its historic character and community values.
