Assistant City Manager Debra Campbell has been tapped as Asheville’s next city manager. Campbell will be the city’s first female and African-American to hold the job, according to Asheville’s Citizen Times. She begins on Dec. 3.
“Debra’s leadership and commitment to public service will have a lasting impact on the city,” said City Manager Marcus D. Jones. “While Debra will be leaving Charlotte, through her new role we are gaining a partner and an advocate in Asheville.”
Campbell spent 10 years as Charlotte’s planning director prior to her promotion to assistant city manager in 2014. That adds to her 30-year resume with the City where her experience includes the fields of urban planning; transportation/land use integration; transit station area planning and development; neighborhood and business corridor revitalization; and housing and community development.
She also brought her experience to local board of director positions with Charlotte Center City Partners, Foundation For The Carolinas, University City Partners, and UNC Charlotte’s Center for Real Estate. Her chair position with Urban Land Institute Charlotte runs through 2020.
Campbell holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in urban planning from Middle Tennessee State University.
