J.P. Duncan was appointed as planning director and zoning administrator in Cumberland County, members of the Cumberland County Board of Supervisors announced during Tuesday’s board meeting.

Sara Carter, former planning and zoning director, left Jan. 8 to serve as town manager for the Town of Amherst.

Duncan had previously served on the planning department in Wilson County, North Carolina. He also attended East Carolina University and North Carolina State University for his master’s degrees in Sustainable Tourism and Public Administration respectively.

Duncan had also served an internship in Bridgewater, located in the Harrisonburg, Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area, where he worked with planning aspects for the town in addition to general tasks, Duncan said.

Board Chairman Kevin Ingle noted Duncan’s prior experience and welcomed him to the area. 

“He’s got quite the accreditations coming from North Carolina and previously working in Virginia,” Ingle said. “We do thank Mr. Duncan for showing an interest in Cumberland County.”

Duncan said Tuesday that his first official day was Monday.

He said he is excited to participate in the county.

“I look forward to serving the public,” Duncan said.