Rowan County has taken a significant step in enhancing its administrative cadre, enlisting William "Andy" Downs as the new Director of Audit and Fleet Management. Downs, whose repertoire spans from financial crimes investigation to public safety — having served as both a firefighter and a law enforcement officer — carries a background marked by a blend of community service and specialized expertise, as per Rowan County reports.
Starting his professional journey in the realm of internal auditing back in 2003 at Wachovia Corporation, Downs climbed the ranks from a Loss Prevention Officer to Vice President, Financial Crimes Manager, in which he tackled an array of financial malfeasances. His tenure at Wachovia saw him overseeing aspects like deposit fraud, external fraud investigations, and ethics oversight. This ascent, however, didn't divert him from his anecdotal routes in public safety and faith, where he served as a firefighter/EMT, and later, as pastor at Royal Oaks Baptist Church in Kannapolis, NC.
Downs' multifaceted career doesn't stop with his day jobs; as per a report by Rowan County, he's also heavily involved in training the next generation of law enforcement and EMT professionals. His dedication to the twin calls of law and faith is further complemented by his service on the Board of Directors of the Better Business Bureau in Charlotte and surrounding counties.
His academic credentials are equally comprehensive, with a bachelor's degree in criminal science, a second in Pastoral Studies, and a slew of certifications including certified fraud examiner and certified forensic interviewer. Despite such a robust professional life, Downs finds solace, and perhaps grounding, in the simpler joys of fishing and spending time with his wife, Carla, and their three children at their Concord, NC home.
Downs's recent career move to Rowan County as its Senior Internal Auditor in 2022 has laid down the groundwork for his current promotion. His broad spectrum of skills and his deep entrenchment within the spheres of legal and ethical monitoring make him a fitting overseer for the audit and fleet management endeavors of the County, promising a tenure that is both vigilant and deeply informed by a life spent in service of the community and the law.
