CCED office continues to conduct business while executive director suspended

Published 11:24 am Thursday, October 15, 2026

Cuming County’s Economic Development Office (CCED) is conducting business as close to normal as possible with the exception of not having an acting executive director.

The CCED office was back on the County Board of Supervisors’ Tuesday, Oct. 13 meeting agenda.

At that meeting it was noted that the board has authorized activities of that office to continue while its executive director, David Branch, remains on paid administrative suspension. The board has also asked Vanessa McCain, CCED’s Special Projects Coordinator, to manage day-to-day activities.

Branch was placed on suspension after a special meeting held Monday, Oct. 5. According to the minutes of that special meeting, issues that led to the suspension included county personnel conduct, insubordination issues such as hours worked, interactions with supervisors, and actions involving the economic development office.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Supervisor Mark Schweers said he had hoped Branch would have been present at Tuesday’s meeting after being asked to do so in a letter sent to him from the board. County Attorney Dan Bracht, who attended Tuesday’s meeting, said he had received no communication from anyone on Branch’s behalf in response to the letter.

At that point of discussion, Bracht advised the board to discuss any potential litigation and personnel matters regarding the economic development office in executive session.

After reconvening in open session, the board voted to have Schweers sign CCED office items that required the county’s authorization. The board also agreed to continue Branch’s suspension until at least Oct. 28, which is the board’s next scheduled meeting.

Schweers said he was disappointed that Branch wasn’t present to discuss some of the points addressed in the letter, and that he still would like to have that conversation with Branch. He said the board should give Branch until the Oct. 28 board meeting to explain certain things.

The board then voted 6-0 to send Branch another letter asking him for an explanation of the work-related issues.

Jon Bailey, a member of CCED’s Board of Directors, inquired as to how the county board wanted the CCED board to operate while Branch is suspended.

Bracht said any interaction between the CCED board and the county should be continued through McCain at the CCED office, and anything from a decision-making standpoint could be addressed through Schweers.

CCED also has a nonprofit board, which Bracht said the county board has no control over.

Schweers said it will be important to work together and with McCain at the CCED office so projects aren’t delayed or stopped.