Buncombe County adds third assistant county manager, taps intergovernmental relations director Tim Love to new post

Press release from Buncombe County:

As Buncombe County continues to grow and present different and diverse needs, our organization is also evolving to ensure we continue to improve our community’s quality of life. One way to help facilitate and respond to the County’s ever-growing priorities is to add a third Assistant County Manager. Filling that new position is long-time County employee Tim Love, who will transition from his role as Intergovernmental Relations Director. “As the number and complexity of our projects grow, this position reduces the span of control to allow more time to manage, consult, and provide guidance with departments,” says County Manager Avril Pinder. “Tim’s political acumen, management philosophy, ability to collaborate, and approach to team building stood out. And it’s always rewarding when you can grow and promote from within.”

Tim brings more than 15 years of governmental experience, with 10 of those being with Buncombe County. In addition to his first-hand understanding of our community’s needs and history, Tim holds a Master of Public Administration from UNC Chapel Hill and a passionate desire to work with the public. “I feel a great sense of stewardship for this community and am eager to continue serving Buncombe County in a new capacity. I was attracted to this position because of the opportunity to work with departments that directly improve the quality of life of our residents, which provide opportunities to recreate and access information, improve our environment and air quality, and support key nonprofit partners. I am grateful for the opportunity to support this work,” says Tim.

The departments in his portfolio will include: Air Quality, Election Services, General Services, Libraries, Parks & Recreation, Strategic Partnerships, and Sustainability. Tim says an immediate goal is to learn more about those departments’ needs, goals, and strategies. “In the long term, I am excited to explore opportunities to better improve our delivery of County services. Our departments do great work, and I am interested in learning more from them about how we can partner internally and externally to provide higher levels of service, access, and equity,” he says. “This position is important because these departments have so many touchpoints with the public. Whether spending the afternoon at a library or park, participating in an election, or accessing any of our more than 40 facilities countywide, these departments directly impact people and their view of how county government serves their needs.” Fun fact: Tim served as interim Parks & Recreation Director prior to Allison Dains’ appointment to that position.

Tim is set to start his role as Assistant County Manager on July 1, 2024.

Tim Love’s professional biography

Timothy (Tim) Love joined Buncombe County in 2014. He has more than 15 years of local and federal government experience. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Intergovernmental Relations Director for Buncombe County and as a Management Consultant for Grant Thornton, LLP.

Tim earned a BS in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Asheville and a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Departments under Tim will include Air Quality, Election Services, General Services, Library, Recreation Services, Strategic Partnerships, and Sustainability.