Kevin P. Lowther Selected As the New Assistant County Manager
Published on August 20, 2026
Sampson County, NC – Sampson County Government has selected Kevin P. Lowther to serve as the Assistant County Manager, bringing more than 23 years of public service experience and a diverse background in local government, development services, emergency management, and organizational improvement.
As the Assistant County Manager, Lowther will provide executive oversight for Planning and Zoning, Inspections and Public Works, with an emphasis on strengthening departmental operations, improving coordination and customer service, and supporting service delivery to residents, businesses and the community.
“Kevin brings a combination of leadership experience and technical knowledge that will serve the County well,” said County Manager Allen Vann. “His experience in inspections and development services gives him an understanding of many issues facing these departments, while his broader leadership background demonstrates his ability to manage complex operations.”
Lowther currently serves as Fire Marshal/Emergency Management Operations Chief for Cumberland County Government, where he provides leadership for countywide fire prevention and emergency management. His responsibilities include strategic planning, policy development, risk assessment and coordination with County leadership, elected officials, municipalities, emergency service agencies, and community partners.
His previous experience with the City of Fayetteville Development Services Department provides a direct connection to his new responsibilities. As a multi-trade building inspector, Lowther conducted commercial and residential inspections involving building, fire, mechanical and plumbing systems; interpreted and enforced state building and fire codes; and worked closely with contractors, residents and other stakeholders.
Lowther also holds several North Carolina inspection credentials, including Fire Inspector Level III, Building Inspector Level I, Mechanical Inspector Level I and Plumbing Inspector Level I, as well as Law and Administration certification.
Lowther said his approach as Assistant County Manager will begin with listening to employees, leadership and community stakeholders and developing a clear understanding of existing operations and opportunities for improvement.
Among his initial priorities will be evaluating existing workflows and service-delivery processes, including permitting, plan review, inspection scheduling and communication. He also plans to engage contractors, developers, and other stakeholders to better understand their experiences working with County departments and identify opportunities to improve service.
The effort will include establishing baseline performance measures such as permit turnaround times, inspection response times, staffing and workload, while examining opportunities for technology improvements and process consistency.
Lowther holds a Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Services Administration from Fayetteville State University and three associate degrees in Fire Protection Technology, Emergency Management and General Education. He is currently completing a Master of Applied Leadership with a concentration in Organizational Leadership at Campbell University, with graduation anticipated in December 2026.
His professional credentials also include the Fire Marshal designation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Certified Healthcare Safety Professional, Certified Healthcare Fire Safety Professional, and Certified Healthcare Emergency Professional. He has completed extensive National Fire Academy and FEMA/NIMS training and has served in senior Emergency Operations Center leadership positions during hurricanes, wildfires and the other major events.
Lowther will begin his duties as Sampson County’s new Assistant County Manager on September 8, 2026.