Ian Patrick recommended to fill Cabarrus board seat
Published on November 26, 2025
Harrisburg Town Councilman Ian Patrick is eager to bring his experience and results-driven leadership style to Cabarrus County Government.
Patrick previously served on the Harrisburg Town Council from 2019 to 2023. In March 2024, the Council reappointed him to a vacant seat upon the recommendation of Mayor Jennifer Teague.
During his time in Harrisburg, Patrick was heavily involved in planning initiatives, including spearheading two Unified Development Ordinance rewrites, championing “shovel-ready” projects that were eventually funded by grants, and ensuring development was supported by the residents.
“With my background in architecture, strategic, long-range planning is an avenue to effect meaningful change,” Patrick says. “I think the work we did in Harrisburg on development, taxes and public safety gave us a kind of ‘secret sauce.’ I want to translate that success to the larger Cabarrus community.”
Patrick says he was drawn to public service early in his career after guidance from one of his mentors, former Charlotte mayor and architect Harvey Gantt.
“He always told us young architects that we had a particular skill set for solving problems and that we should commit to public service,” Patrick says. “That stuck with me.”
Patrick says solving problems for residents has been the most rewarding part of his time in local government. “When someone brings us a problem and there’s a solution, it feels good to help them. You’re doing it for no other reason than to serve, and that’s the purest form of public service.”
He has served as a member of the American Institute of Architects, the United States Green Building Council, the Board of Directors for the Construction Professionals Network and the Chair of the Town of Harrisburg Board of Adjustment. He has also served as an alternate representative for the Centralina Regional Council. He is a current member of the Cabarrus Chamber and the North Carolina Economic Development Association.
Patrick will meet with County leadership and the board clerk on Dec. 5 for orientation. The vote and swearing-in are planned for the Dec. 15 Regular Meeting. The Organizational Meeting, where members elect the chair and vice-chair, will follow.
“I look forward to meeting with Ian and welcoming him to the board,” says Interim County Manager Kelly Sifford. “His experience in local government and focus on community will be valuable as we work together to serve Cabarrus residents.”
As he prepares to join the County, Patrick says his first priority is listening.
“It’s a bigger ship than Harrisburg, and counties do different things than municipalities,” he says. “My first step is to open my ears as much as possible and learn.”
Patrick and his wife, Erin, have two children and own an architecture firm. He has resided in the Harrisburg area since his time at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
The Cabarrus County Republican Party Executive Committee submitted Patrick’s name following the passing of Commissioner Lynn Shue earlier this month.
Per state statute, the board had to consult with the Cabarrus County Republican Party’s Executive Committee, which had 30 days to recommend a replacement. The law states that the replacement must be from the same party as the member being replaced.
With the recommendation received, commissioners are required to appoint the nominee to serve the remainder of the term, which runs through November 2026.
Patrick will join the board mid-fiscal year, as commissioners prepare to begin budget discussions early in the new calendar year. The board’s annual budget retreat is scheduled for Feb. 27 and 28, 2026.
Residents can watch commissioner meetings on the Cabarrus County livestream at cabarruscounty.us, on YouTube (@CabarrusCounty) and on CabCo TV (Spectrum Cable Channel 22).