Dr. Kimberly J. Sowell Named New Durham County Manager
DURHAM, NC – The Durham Board of County Commissioners announced Monday evening (Feb. 28) the appointment of Dr. Kimberly J. Sowell, who currently serves as an Assistant City Manager with the City of Greensboro, as its new County Manager. As Assistant City Manager since 2019, her portfolio has included oversight for the departments of Engineering & Inspections, Field Operations, Neighborhood Development, Planning, Transportation, Water Resources, Workforce Development, and the Offices of Equity & Inclusion and Minority & Women Business Enterprise.
In selecting Sowell, County Commission Chair Brenda Howerton said, “Following an extensive search, the Board believes Dr. Sowell is a great fit, and the leader we need to help us move into the next phase of county operations to best serve Durham County residents.” She added, “Dr. Sowell brings a wealth of experience as a local government professional, and we welcome her.”
Dr. Sowell said of her appointment, “I am extremely excited to join the Durham County team. I am thankful to this historic Board and honored by the Board’s confidence in my leadership. I look forward to building on the progressive work of Durham County’s talented employees and implementing the vision established by our Board and the wonderful residents of this community.” Dr. Sowell continued, “I expect Durham County to be one of the most highly sought-after places for people to live, work, thrive, and establish businesses and I am grateful to become part of such an eminent community.”
A native of Kannapolis, Sowell holds a B.S. in Accounting and an M.S. in Adult Education from North Carolina A&T State University and recently defended her dissertation as a Ph.D. candidate in Leadership Studies at North Carolina A&T. She also has over 20 years of progressive experience in the corporate, higher education and government sectors.
Her career began with Deloitte where she audited financial statements of clients in the government, non-profit, and insurance industries. Dr. Sowell transitioned into higher education when employed by North Carolina A&T where she served in various roles including University Treasurer, Special Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor for Business & Finance, and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs/Administration. She joined the City of Greensboro in 2015, initially working in the Human Resources and Water Resources departments before becoming an Assistant City Manager in 2019.
As a transformational leader, she has completed several other executive leadership programs including the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) Executive Leadership Institute, the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce Other Voices Executive Program, and the NC Office of State Human Resources Leadership Institute for Female Employees (LIFE).
Dr. Sowell is scheduled to begin work on March 14, 2022, and her initial salary will be $255,000.