After 28 years of dedicated public service to the City of Asheville, Finance and Management Services Director Tony McDowell has formally announced his plans to retire on December 31, 2026.
Throughout his impactful career, he has demonstrated a professional commitment to transparency and fiscal responsibility in leading the City’s annual budget and auditing processes. As Finance and Management Services Director, McDowell has helped guide Asheville through significant financial challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Helene. He has also played a key role in developing and maintaining a comprehensive approach to financing major capital investments which helped inform development of the 2016 and 2024 General Obligation (GO) Bond programs.
As a well-recognized leader in the field of local government finance, McDowell is a 2024 recipient of the A. John “Jack” Vogt Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Advancement of Local Government Budgeting & Evaluation. This award recognizes individuals who have advanced the field of budgeting in North Carolina local government.
“It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve the City of Asheville for nearly 30 years,” said McDowell. “I am proud of the work our Finance and Management Services team has accomplished and especially grateful for the people I have had the opportunity to work with along the way. I leave knowing that the City has a strong financial foundation and a talented team committed to serving the Asheville community. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of it.”
McDowell will remain on staff through the end of the calendar year to ensure continuity of operations and facilitate a smooth leadership transition for the finance department.
“Although I have only had the opportunity to work directly with Tony for eight months, I have greatly valued his knowledge, steadiness and professionalism. We navigated an exceptionally challenging budget process together, and throughout it, he demonstrated true partnership and commitment to doing what is best for our organization and the community we serve,” said City Manager DK Wesley. “The City is grateful for Tony’s commitment to remaining on board to manage year-end fiscal responsibilities. We appreciate his leadership and offer our very best wishes for a well-deserved retirement.”
A competitive process to recruit the City’s next Finance and Management Services Director will be announced soon.