Satish Garimella
Title: Mayor Pro Tem
Municipality: Town of Morrisville
Position Interested In: Second Vice President
Q&A's:
Tell us why you would like to serve in a leadership position at the League. In particular, specify goals you would like to accomplish as an officer or board member and indicate how, if attained, they will help to achieve Vision 2030 – the League’s future vision of how cities and towns will operate in 2030?
I have been honored to serve on the NCLM Board of Directors since 2020, first as the President’s
appointee and currently as the District 6 representative for the past four years. This experience has been
both humbling and enriching, as I have learned invaluable lessons from my fellow board members and
NCLM staff. I take great pride in the contributions I have made to this vital organization. Currently, I serve
on the Finance Committee and, this past year, had the privilege of being selected as the Legislative
Committee Chair. I have also previously served on the Governance Committee. Yet, I recognize there is
still much more to do, and I am eager to continue my service as part of the Executive Committee. My time
on the Board has been instrumental in shaping my leadership, deepening my understanding of municipal
governance, and reinforcing my commitment to advancing Vision 2030.
At the core of my leadership approach is a deep commitment to community. I strongly believe in the
power of collaboration—both within and among municipalities across North Carolina. The relationships I
have built with elected officials statewide have broadened my perspective on the challenges and
opportunities that lie ahead and strengthened my understanding of the Vision 2030 framework,
particularly its six operating principles and five pillars.
Morrisville exemplifies many of the foundational elements of Vision 2030, including urbanization,
economic growth, and cultural and demographic transformation. Through my work with the Central Pines
(formerly Triangle J) Council of Governments, I have actively engaged in fostering partnerships between
urban and rural communities, ensuring that all municipalities—regardless of size—have a voice in
shaping North Carolina’s future. I believe my experience uniquely positions me to bring forward solutions,
enhance collaboration, and support the League’s vision.
If appointed to this leadership position, I will work closely with the Board and NCLM staff to advance all
operating principles and pillars, with a primary focus on three critical areas:
- Restoring Western North Carolina’s Economy – Supporting the state’s efforts to revitalize
communities affected by economic shifts, ensuring that towns and cities in the region regain
stability and thrive. As this is a top priority for both the Governor and the General Assembly, I will
work tirelessly to ensure municipalities have the resources and support needed for a strong
recovery. - Addressing Demographic and Technological Shifts – Strengthening local government
engagement across all populations, particularly in communities experiencing significant
demographic changes. Additionally, leveraging my expertise in information technology, I will
support municipalities in addressing cybersecurity challenges, enhancing data transparency, and
implementing technology-driven solutions that improve governance. While cybersecurity threats
affect all communities, smaller and rural municipalities often lack the necessary tools and
resources, making them especially vulnerable. I am committed to ensuring they receive the
support they need. - Expanding Rural Broadband Access and Economic Vitality – Advocating for expanded
broadband infrastructure to bridge the digital divide, ensuring equitable access to education,
healthcare, and economic opportunities. Reliable broadband is a critical factor in reducing
population migration from rural to urban areas, fostering economic growth, and enhancing overall
quality of life. By working alongside stakeholders, I aim to drive meaningful progress in this area.
Tell us about your experience as a municipal official. You may want to include information on your service on the municipal governing body, other related boards and special areas of interest?
It is a privilege and an honor to serve the people of Morrisville as a member of the Town Council. First
elected in 2015 as an At-Large Member, I was reelected in 2023 for a third term. In December, I was
deeply humbled to be unanimously selected by my peers to serve as Mayor Pro Tem. This trust and
confidence reaffirm my commitment to fostering strong, respectful council relationships—both among
members and with our exceptional town staff.
Beyond my service in Morrisville, I am actively engaged at the local, state, national, and even
international levels to advocate for policies that strengthen our communities. I have cultivated strong
working relationships with the Wake County Board of Commissioners and the Public School System
Board of Education, ensuring that Morrisville’s voice is heard in decisions that impact our residents.
At the state level, I have been honored to serve on Governor-Elect Josh Stein’s Transition Team,
where I played a key role in recommending the next Secretary for the Department of Information
Technology (DIT). Additionally, I was recently appointed to the North Carolina Information Technology
Strategy Board, which oversees the state’s long-term technology roadmap. My work in these areas
reflects my passion for leveraging technology to improve government efficiency, transparency, and
cybersecurity protections for municipalities.
I am also deeply committed to bipartisan collaboration and regularly engage with both national and state
elected officials to advocate for critical issues. My areas of special interest and expertise include:
Key Focus Areas
- Expanding Rural Broadband Access & Economic Vitality – Advocating for broadband
infrastructure to bridge the digital divide, ensuring equitable access to education, healthcare, and
economic opportunities. Reliable broadband is essential for reducing rural-to-urban migration,
fostering economic growth and enhancing quality of life. - Youth Programs & Education – Investing in the next generation through education, mentorship,
and workforce readiness initiatives. - Public Safety & Intergovernmental Relations – Strengthening partnerships between
municipalities, law enforcement, and other agencies to enhance community well-being. - Economic Development & Smart Growth – Supporting strategic growth, small businesses,
infrastructure improvements, and transit solutions. - Community Wellness &Resilience – Addressing issues such as affordable housing, mental
health, homelessness, and access to public art and nonprofit resources. - AI & Machine Learning in Municipal Services – Leveraging emerging technologies to enhance
transparency, improve efficiency, and enable municipal staff to perform their duties more
effectively.
Leadership Roles & Boards
Throughout my tenure, I have been privileged to serve in various leadership capacities, including:
- North Carolina Information Technology Strategy Board (2025-Present)
- Governor-Elect Josh Stein Transition Team (2024-2025)
- NCLM Board of Directors (2021-Present)
- NCLM Legislative Committee Chair (2023-Present)
- NCLM Board of Directors – President’s Appointment (2020)
- WakeMed Hospitals Board of Directors (2022-Present)
- Towne Bank Board of Directors (2025-Present)
- North Carolina Education and Workforce Innovation Commission (2018-Present)
- Go Triangle Transit Advisory Committee (2019-2022)
- Triangle Trail Initiative Advisory Board (2021)
- PLANWake Advisory Committee (2019)
- Wake County Fire Commission (2017-Present)
- Friends of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences Board of Directors (2016-2023)
- Breckenridge HOA President (2014-Present)
My service as a municipal official is guided by a deep sense of responsibility, a commitment to innovation,
and a passion for fostering inclusive and thriving communities. I look forward to continuing to serve and
advocate for the people of Morrisville and beyond.
Tell us about your educational background, professional experience, and/or community or civic activities?
Currently enrolled in the Friday Fellowship Program for Human Relationship
- Earned a Public Leadership Credential from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard
University (2020 - 2022), Cambridge, MA - Participated in the Advance Leadership Corps at the School of Government, University of North
Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC - Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Computer Science, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK
- Bachelor of Engineering (B.Engr.) in Electronics Engineering, Bombay University, Mumbai, India
With over 25 years of leadership experience in IT and data analytics, I specialize in enterprise
architecture, delivering optimal solutions tailored to business needs. My expertise spans infrastructure,
development, and technical domains, underpinned by a strong track record of leading the planning,
design, development, and deployment of high-performance IT products and solutions. I have consistentlyenabled business continuity both on-premise and in the public cloud.
Have You Participated in Any NCLM Events or Committees?
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CityVision Annual Conference
-
Town & State Dinner or Town Hall Days
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Legislative Goals Planning Events or Process
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Legislative Lobby Days
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Legislative Policy Committee
- Finance Committee and Governance Committee
Please provide any other information you would like the Nominations Committee to consider.
Addressing the problems and needs of individual residents and their families inspires me, and I recognize
the value and positives I contribute. Moreover, there is nothing better than the feeling of making a
difference in people’s lives when we cut the opening-day ribbon on a complex project that required
months or years of focused and committed work inspired by the community’s input and their engagement.
It is in that moment that you realize the importance of public service in cultivating and strengthening the
bonds of community that so are vital to Morrisville’s residents. Communicating the value of municipal
government to our citizens and residents is reward beyond measure.