Mayor John O. Gilleland, Jr.
johngilleland@ci.lincolnton.nc.us
The Mayor is the Chief elected official
of the City of Lincolnton. The Mayor
is elected, at large, for a two-year term.
The Mayor is the presiding officer of the
Lincolnton City Council. The Mayor
votes to break a tie vote and does not
have veto power. The Mayor appoints
members to various municipal boards
and commissions, issues special
proclamations, meets with citizens groups, and represents
the city at various local, state and national meetings. The
Mayor serves as the City's Chief Ambassador, meeting with
dignitaries and business representatives. The Mayor plays an
important role in the development of Lincolnton's municipal
policy.
Mayor John O. Gilleland, Jr. begins his two-year term on
December 3, 2009. He is a graduate of the University of
North Carolina at Charlotte with a bachelor's degree and is
currently the President of Gilleland & Associates, a real
estate and property management company, after finishing
a 21-year career as a sales manager with UPS in 2004.
Mayor Gilleland has lived in Lincolnton for 42 years.
He and his wife, Beth Hoyle Gilleland, have three children, Meredith, John III and Amy, and reside at 119 Labans Lane.
City Council
Composed of four members, the Lincolnton City Council is the legislative body of the City of Lincolnton. Members are elected at large but must file for election by ward. Two members of City Council are elected every two years, serving four-year terms.
The City Council appoints the City Manager and the City Attorney is responsible for passing all ordinances and resolutions; approves the annual operating and capital budgets; sets the ad valorem tax rate; sets utility rates; make appointments to various boards, commissions, and agencies of the city; and adopts long range plans and polices
City Council Meetings are the first Thursday of each month at 7:00pm and are held in City Council Chambers located on the second floor of City Hall 114 W. Sycamore Street.
2013 City Council Meeting Dates
Devin Rhyne, Councilman Ward I
devinrhyne@ci.lincolnton.nc.us
Mr. Rhyne was elected to City Council
by Special Election in 2010 to represent
Ward I of the City. In 1997, Mr. Rhyne
earned his degree in Political Science with
a concentration in Education from
Appalachian State University. Mr. Rhyne
works as a Project Manager for Mid-
Atlantic Construction and has been with
the company for 10 years. He and his wife
Shelly have one son, Joby. They reside at 216 N. Oak Street.
John “Les” Cloninger, Councilman, Mayor Pro-Tem Ward II
lescloninger@ci.lincolnton.nc.us
Dr. Cloninger was elected to City Council in 1999 to represent Ward II of the City. Dr. Cloninger earned his degree in dentistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After two years in the US Navy he opened his practice in Lincolnton in 1968. He has three children and eight grandchildren. Dr. Cloninger and his wife Cynthia reside at 124 Saddletree Road.
Carroll Heavner, Councilman, Ward III
carrollheavner@ci.lincolnton.nc.us
Mr. Heavner was elected to City Council in 1993, to represent Ward III of the City. He formerly served the City as Councilman from 1971 until 1982 at which time he was appointed Mayor. He then was elected Mayor in 1983, serving until 1987 at which time he did not seek re-election. Mr. Heavner retired from First Charter Bank in 2001, having served 46 years in banking. He and his wife Mary reside at 501 S. Academy Street.
Larry Mac Hovis, Councilman Ward IV
larrymachovis@ci.lincolnton.nc.us 
Mr. Hovis was elected to City Council in 1995, to represent Ward IV of the City. Mr. Hovis is retired from Duke Power Company. He and his wife Linda own and operate Lincoln Drapery. They have two daughters, Kenlyn and Allison and four grandchildren. He and Linda reside at 404 Victor Street.
