PEMBROKE — The Pembroke Town Council on Friday hired Oryan D. Lowry as the town’s new manager. He replaces McDuffie Cummings, who held the manager’s position for 34 years before retiring at the end of last year.
Lowry, 40, a Pembroke native, begins his new job on Aug. 1. He is currently employed by the Public Schools of Robeson County as a science teacher at South Robeson High School, and previously worked as a food inspector and compliance officer for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He also served in the U.S. Army during Operation Desert Storm.
Lowry holds an undergraduate degree in Biology from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and a master’s degree in Public Administration, also from UNCP.
Pembroke Mayor Milton Hunt said that Lowry was the unanimous choice of the council. Between 20 and 30 applicants had applied for the job, Hunt said, with candidates being both local and from outside the area.
“The board did a good job in choosing him,” the mayor said. “He met the criteria of what we were looking for (in a manager).”
Hunt said that Lowry’s “wonderful personality” is one of his key characteristics that makes him the right person to hold the town’s top administrative post
“In this job, you need a personable person,” Hunt said.
Although this is his first town management position, Lowry told The Robesonian that he has been looking for this kind of position since he obtained his degree in Public Administration five years ago.
“I’ve been looking for the right fit,” he said.
Lowry said that in selecting Cummings’ replacement, council members were looking for someone local and young to bring a fresh face and new perspective to the manager’s position.
According to the new manager, he has no plans to immediately make changes or implement new policies and programs.
“First I want to build a rapport with both the staff and the community,” he said. “It’s important to earn the trust of the community.”
Lowry is married to Rebekah Lowry, the current director of the Robeson Community College Foundation.
Reach staff writer Bob Shiles at 910-272-6117 or bshiles@heartlandpublications.com.
I'm afraid to say Mr. Lowry is gonna be a "good ol' boy." If he was to try and clean the police department up he would be put out of office.
To the ones who think we are dawging Mr. Lowry out. You don't understand. I just want my home town to be better and voice my opinion of the obvious problems we have. Like I said before. I hope the man does the best job ever. But looking at how things are already paning out, it don't look good.
This man has the degree and is qualified, Enough Said!
All these happy crab indians boy, I tell ya, Always throwing stones and trying to pull someone down.
Keep on drinking ya "haterade" there, Lastlock, mrlumbee3, and PercyKution.
I am a citizen of the city of Pembroke and I am happy with the choice, unless you live in the city keep your ignorent opinions to yourself.
You may live in Pembroke but your for sure don't understand economic development. Read what Lastlock said, and I totally agree. You have a growing college there and the town don't even try to promote the school and make revenue off of it. Yeah, they can eat fast food, but about it. Bringing in business that can profit from the students will only add revenue to the town. It will possibly lower your taxes. And you and your family can enjoy what attractions the town can bring in, shopping, entertainment (theaters), and nightlife. They already have liquor by the drink. I don't see many doing much with it. You bring in a Applebee's, Movie Theater. It will create jobs and tax revenue. It takes money to make money.
Yeah the town has grown very much in the past 10 years, but the college has to.
I'm a pembroke native and I'm unsure of this selection. I embrace my Native people on getting these great jobs. I for one want Mr. Lowry to be successful.
But I don't get it. Mr. Lowry is a teacher (thank you for your services) and has a degree from UNC-P in public administration. Okay, you read a few books, passed a few test. Big deal. No experience what so ever, not even in the same ball park with occupational skills. I don't know what the other candidates brought to the table, but the ones with experience must be floored.
I know McDuffie when I see him. I don't know him personally, but he was there a long time. Ever since I have been born he was running that position. Can't say for sure he did a good job or what.
I think a outside person with experience would have been a better choice. Because they wouldn't be biased on given money to certain projects, wasteful spending, etc.
I wish this young man the best luck in his position. One good thing, his salary will increase a great deal.
the world are these people from. mr. lowry will
do a great job.the facts are that pembroke is the
fastest growing town in the county and according
to the crime data from SBI and published in the
robesonian one of the safest in the county of its
size.mr lowry will have in place all the infrastructure he- needs-state of the art waste-
treatment plant,new library,new town hall,state of the art recational complex,a police department with a car for each officer and a good financial statement. again where are these commentors living?