Following a three-month-long nationwide search, the Blowing Rock Town Council has selected Ed Evans to serve as the Town of Blowing Rock’s next Town Manager; his first day with Blowing Rock will be Monday, Jan. 23, 2017. Evans was chosen after a national search that yielded 48 applicants from 13 states including Washington, Kansas, and Texas.
Evans comes to Blowing Rock from the Town of Beech Mountain where he has been the Town Manager since 2015. He will be replacing Scott Fogleman, who announced in September his decision to join his family in the private sector. Fogleman will stay on board through Evans’ first week to help provide background on current and upcoming key projects.
Ed Evans has been a Watauga County resident since receiving a scholarship to attend Appalachian State University following his service in the United States Marine Corps. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geography and Planning and a Master’s degree in Public Administration, both from Appalachian State University. In addition to these degrees, Ed has continued his education in the field of local government development and administration by pursuing certification as a Certified Economic Developer, and completing a certification as Certified Zoning Official. He is currently enrolled in the University of North Carolina School of Government Municipal and County Administration Course.
On September 9 of this year, the High Country Council of Governments held its 42nd annual awards banquet to recognize outstanding achievements and contributions by elected officials, local government employees and advisory committee members. The High Country Council of Governments is a planning and development agency serving local governments in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties. Award winners were selected by elected and appointed officials from the seven-county region. Ed Evans was recognized by the region’s managers, administrators, and local elected officials, as the year’s Outstanding Local Government Manager in the High Country region.
The award acknowledges the contributions a manager has made to local government through his/her professionalism, leadership, and accomplishments as manager or chief administrator. During the award presentation, it was mentioned that Evans is known for having the right kind of initiative required for good government, with an open door policy for staff and citizens. With his stewardship, Beech Mountain has been able to stay in stride with ongoing projects and plans while realizing new and innovative best-use business practices. Nominators went on to say Evans is constantly pushing himself toward excellence, meets challenges head on, and always advocates for the town’s best interest.
As the former Town Manager for Seven Devils from 2009 until 2015 and current Town Manager of Beech Mountain, Ed has unique, hands-on experience managing resort towns and tourist destinations. He understands the numerous and unique challenges faced in mountain towns and has experienced and succeeded in many of the same roles he will experience in Blowing Rock. Ed has extensive involvement in areas such as public relations, grant writing, and project management. These strengths will be advantageous to Blowing Rock as the Town continues to implement its long-range Comprehensive Plan and works to achieve the goals of the Blowing Rock Town Council.
“I consider my service to our country in the U.S. Marine Corps a life-changing call to leadership, and I look forward to continuing that theme while working for the Town of Blowing Rock,” Evans said. Ed has demonstrated character and the ability to lead others through his distinguished service and his leadership at both Seven Devils and Beech Mountain. In these roles, Ed successfully cultivated productive working relationships with staff, elected officials, and the citizens which enabled each of the towns to move forward with improved services while maintaining sound fiscal policies.
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