Looking to further key priorities for the community, Buncombe County is excited to announce Eva Davis as this year’s County Manager fellow. The recent Appalachian State University graduate will be tasked with research, community engagement, program planning, and more concerning the areas of economic development, the County’s Racial Equity Action Plan, and behavioral health planning. “I was originally drawn to the Lead for NC Fellowship because of the great opportunities it provides to work in local governments across North Carolina,” says Eva. “I chose Buncombe County because of the great work being done throughout the County by the management team and all the other departments. Buncombe County felt like the best fit for me because of its continued efforts toward improved equity throughout the County.”
The North Carolina Fellow program is a competitive process and Assistant County Manager DK Wesley says Eva stood out from other applicants for a couple of reasons. “Eva demonstrated a strong interest and passion for public service. Her university studies closely align to many of the planned projects for this service year,” explains DK. “Additionally, Eva has practical experience in behavioral health and a desire to learn more about and actively participate in how Buncombe County serves its residents and visitors.”
Eva is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina and earned her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science with a minor in Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies. “Throughout my year of service in Buncombe County, I hope to exhibit the vision and core values of the County to the best of my ability,” says Eva. “I also hope to learn more about the importance of local government and make an impact in Buncombe County that will benefit those who live here.”
Eva officially started her year-long appointment as the County Manager Fellow on Sept. 5.
More about the AmeriCorp/Lead for North Carolina Fellow program
LFNC is a state affiliate of Lead for America, a nonpartisan fellowship program across the United States. Lead for America was launched in 2018, and LFNC is its first state affiliate program. The School of Government has partnered with key organizations, including the NC County Managers Association (NCCCMA), NC League of Municipalities (NCLM), and NC Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) to implement LFNC. The program’s goals include strengthening NC’s local governments, creating future public sector leaders, and transforming communities.