Meet Town Manager
Amanda “Amie” Owens, SHRM-CP, ICMA-CM
Amie Owens began serving as the Town Manager of the Town of Franklin on September 13, 2021. In her role, she helps to coordinate the activities of all town departments, assists and provides research and information to the Mayor and Town Council and carries out the strategic priorities of the community. As the Town Manager she is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Town and its 57 full-time employees. The Town of Franklin serves more than 4,000 residents and has an annual overall budget of $10.5 million. Prior to being named Town Manager, Owens had served as Assistant Town Manager in two municipalities, most recently in Altavista, Virginia (2020 – 2021) and in Waynesville, North Carolina (2016 -2020).
Owens has had a varied career in public service and healthcare. Prior to beginning work in local government, she was the Executive Assistant to the CEO of Crescent Health Solutions, a health management organization; worked as a Customer Service Representative for Kelley’s Home Health Services and Secretary for Health Resource Services at Haywood Regional Medical Center. After seventeen years in the healthcare field, Ms. Owens desired to make a career change and in 2012, pursued a move into local government. She served in her initial role as the Executive Assistant to the County Manager/Deputy Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners in Haywood County. In 2014, she became the Town Clerk for the Town of Waynesville and subsequently would be the Administrative Services Director and in 2016 was appointed to the position of Assistant Town Manager. She served in the Assistant Town Manager role in Altavista, Virginia concentrating on operations, capital improvement planning, transit and risk management.
Owens graduated from Western Carolina University in 2015 with a master’s degree in Public Affairs. She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration with distinction from Montreat College in Asheville, North Carolina. Additionally, Owens has been a participant in and graduate of the following leadership programs; University of North Carolina School of Government Municipal and County Administration Course, Leadership Haywood, and Empowering Women in Public Service. Amie earned her Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) designation in 2019.
Owens was recognized as the 2015 Western Carolina University – MPA Student of the Year (Local Government). She has multiple governmental affiliations including International City and County Managers Association (ICMA), WNC City and County Managers Association, Association of Local Government Catamounts and serves as a board member of the Selective Service Board for North Carolina.
Ms. Owens is a native of Haywood County, North Carolina.