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WINTON – Hertford County local government will welcome a new leader next month.

The county’s Board of Commissioners has appointed Oryan Lowry as County Manager. Lowry’s first day on the job in Winton is Aug. 1.

Lowry has worked as the Town Manager in Grifton, located south of Greenville, since June 1 of last year.

Prior to Grifton, Lowry worked as the Town Administrator in Bladenboro from 2020-2022. He left that job to serve as the executive director for Hope Alive, a 501c nonprofit in Pembroke that was awarded a $10 million grant to build a facility for use as a halfway house for opioid addiction.

“His extensive experience in municipal management and his commitment to fostering transparent, accountable governance make him well-equipped to lead Hertford County into a successful future,” said Andre Lassiter Sr., chair of the Hertford County Board of Commissioners.

“I am well prepared for the next step in my career,” Lowry stated. “I understand the importance of working effectively with others holding diverse perspectives and partnering with outstanding and competent staff along with an engaged County to carry out the strategic priorities of Hertford County.

“My focus has always been to build relationships with clients, coworkers, and management and to ambitiously work at my job with both fervor and dedication. Hertford County deserves my very best and I strive to deliver the very best every day,” Lowry added.

An internet search of Lowry yielded a June 6, 2023 story by Ginger Livingston, a writer with The Standard, a publication that serves Grifton. The article referenced Lowry’s dismissal 10 years ago from the manager’s position with the Town of Pembroke due to making nearly $1,200 in personal purchases with that town’s credit card.

Lowry characterized the purchases as a mistake, pointing out he used his card for a town-related purchase at the same time.

“I took 100 percent credit for it and moved on. There was never any misappropriation of funds. I’ve always been methodical about balancing the budget,” Lowry was quoted as saying in that story.

The article said that although Lowry repaid the town, its council voted 2-1 in January 2014 to fire him, according to a news report from The Robesonian. Lowry said he wasn’t fired, rather the council opted not to renew his contract.

Grifton Mayor Billy Ray Jackson was also cited in the story, saying the Board of Commissioners there unanimously voted to hire Lowry after interviewing him. Lowry voluntarily disclosed his dismissal to the board, Jackson said, and did not face any charges.

Lassiter, when contacted by the News-Herald in reference to that story, confirmed that Lowry made Hertford County officials aware of what transpired in Pembroke.

“Mr. Lowry’s tenure as [Pembroke] Manager is marked by a steadfast commitment to the community, with a focus on welfare and ethical governance,” Lassiter noted. “The allegations are at odds with his documented history of professional integrity.

“On behalf of the Hertford County Board of Commissioners, our appointment and forward governing support of Mr. Lowry underscores the respect he has earned as a public servant and service to our armed forces. As a united community, we thank him for joining us in maintaining the trust and transparency that are essential for collective progress in Hertford County,” Lassiter added.

Lowry earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Biology.

He also served in the U.S. Army and North Carolina National Guard. After leaving the military he was employed as a consumer safety inspector for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Lowry has also worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Kevin Patterson, Hertford County’s current Interim Manager, will continue in that role until the end of this month. Patterson was hired in early August of last year, replacing David Cotton who resigned to become the Cleveland County Manager.