JACKSON – In a surprise announcement on Monday, Northampton County Manager Kenneth “Ken” Creque submitted his resignation after only eight months on the job.

Robert Carter, chairman of the Northampton County Board of Commissioners, told the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald that the resignation is immediate.

“It’s effective as of today (Monday),” said Carter.

When asked if Creque made the decision to resign on his own, Carter said, “It’s a personnel matter.”

Carter added that Creque, who was hired last July, was still under his nine-month probationary period.

Carter said that Kim Turner, who was serving as the Assistant County Manager, has been appointed by the board to serve as Interim Manager, also effective immediately.

“As chairman of the commissioners, I will work with Kim on an as-needed basis, especially with us in the midst of developing a new budget,” Carter said. “I’ll work closely with Kim and our Finance Director on the new budget.”

In the meantime, the county will launch a search for a new full-time county manager.

“The board has advised our HR (Human Resources) Director to begin advertising ASAP for a new county manager,” Carter stated.

Creque came to Northampton County after a short stint as Town Manager in Plymouth, a job he accepted in April 2010. Prior to that he worked in Lee County as an administrative officer with the Department of Social Services.