CARRBORO, NC – Town Manager Patrice Toney has announced the selection of John Fussa as the new planning director for the Town of Carrboro. Fussa is a nationally recognized city planner whose experience spans multiple decades in Colorado and New Jersey. He is scheduled to begin in December 2025.
Fussa comes from the Town of Parker, Colo., where he served as community development director from August 2013 to October 2025.
“We are thrilled to welcome John Fussa as Carrboro’s next planning director,” Toney said. “We need equity-driven, climate-smart leadership to guide thoughtful, inclusive growth. John's track record aligns with Carrboro’s values and our commitment to measurable progress for residents and businesses.”
“The Town of Carrboro is a special place, and I am excited by the opportunity to work with the community, staff and stakeholders to help Carrboro realize its vision for the future,” Fussa said.
In Parker, Fussa led all aspects of Town operations related to planning, building, growth and development. He was responsible for successful efforts such as the My Mainstreet downtown revitalization project, the award winning Mainstreet Master Plan, completion of a new Unified Land Development Code, new Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails Plan, and streamlined development processes such as the EZ Permits program for homeowners and small businesses.
Prior to working for the Town of Parker, Fussa served as the City Planner/Director of Community Development at the City of Bayonne, N.J. from 2002 to 2013 and Project Manager/Senior Planner for the consulting firm of Heyer, Gruel and Associates in New Brunswick, N.J. from 1997 to 2002.
Fussa holds a Master of City and Regional Planning Degree from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame. He recently served as the co-chair of the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) Advisory Committee; was a liaison to the Douglas County Housing Partnership, South Metro Fire/Rescue Authority and Parker Water/Sanitation District; and is a member of the American Planning Association, Colorado Municipal League and Urban Land Institute.
Fussa will be succeeding Trish McGuire, who retired after an extraordinary 30-year career in Carrboro. The Town of Carrboro extends its gratitude to Christina Moon for serving as interim planning director.