Jones County Manager stepping down, to assume ONWASA CEO role

Franky Howard will step down next month as Jones County Manager and assume the role of CEO for ONWASA, the primary water utility in Onslow County. His career with Jones County started in 2005 as the Agriculture Field Crops Agent with the NC Cooperative Extension Service. In 2007, Howard was the youngest County Manager in the state.

“I am so thankful that the Board of Commissioners at that time gave a ‘green’ 24-year-old version of myself a shot at County Manager,” said Howard.

Howard attributes his success to a great team of department heads, county commissioners, elected officials, and staff in Jones County.

“We are absolutely devastated to hear this news,” said Jones County Board of Elections Director Jennifer King. “Franky has been an integral part of our team for many years. He is more leader than boss and an extraordinary example of hard work, dedication, and perseverance.”

King feels he will have a lasting legacy in Jones County.

“This has not been an easy decision and process to leave Jones County,” said Howard. “I love my work family and will miss each and every one of them.”

Howard will start at ONWASA on March 7, 2021. He will continue to be a part of the Jones County community and remain close to his family and parents on their family farming operation.

“We love the quiet and rural nature of our home place, which is much the same across Jones County and even parts of Onslow County,” said Howard. “Jones County and its towns give the Small Town hometown atmosphere that we all love and enjoy.”

He hopes to have given back to Jones County in more ways than the county has given to him. He enjoyed both the challenges and triumphs over the years.

“I can truly say I would not be the person I am today without the time I have spent living and working in Jones County,” said Howard. “This is where I grew up and I have always said I wanted to raise my kids and family in the same way.”

Howard is proud of the accomplishments and changes he has been a part of throughout the past 14 years. He believes Jones County is a better place because of the many people that have come before him and worked alongside him.

“I am also proud of helping improve the relationship with the local school system and partnering on the new K-12 school project,” said Howard. “There are many other projects that I am glad to have been a part of over the years, and many more that I have set into motion that I hope are carried out to completion after I am gone.”

The Board approved Kyle Smith, Howard’s current Finance Officer, to serve as Interim County Manager effective March 7th, this will give them time to advertise and select a permanent replacement.

“This definitely wasn’t the news that any of us wanted to hear,” said County Commissioner April Aycock. “Franky has been a huge asset to our county over the years. The reaction to his resignation that I received from our county employees speaks volumes to the leader that he is. There is no doubt that he will continue to do great things in his future endeavors, just as he has done for Jones County. No matter who his replacement is, that person will definitely have some big shoes to fill.”

Smith has been with Jones County for almost four years now. He started out as our Soil and Water Conservation District Director and was recently named Finance Officer for the County. He is local to Jones County just as Howard was, and went to Jones Sr. High School and NCSU where he also played baseball.

“I leave knowing the County will be in good hands and a professional and productive transition process is in the works,” said Howard. “That honestly made the decision a bit easier knowing I had good people to keep the County Government Operations moving forward after I left.”