Lena Jones Is New Health Director

LINCOLNTON––Lena Jones is Lincoln County’s new health director.

That’s the word Thursday from Lincoln County Health Department spokesman Stephen Kegley. At its July 12 meeting, Kegley informed, the Lincoln County Board of Health announced its decision to appoint Jones as the health department’s new director as of July 16. That role was vacant after Davin Madden, the previous health director, assumed a new role as Lincoln’s assistant county manager.

Jones started her career at the Lincoln County Health Department 19 years ago. She has since worked her way up in the organization, serving as its child care consultant, community health manager/preparedness co-ordinator, health operations manager, deputy health director and interim health director.

In 2002, Jones earned a bachelor of science degree in human food nutrition and exercise from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. This was followed by a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in 2018. Her accomplishments include being a 2015 graduate of the Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Lincoln program; earning honors as the Lincoln County Employee of the Year for 2020; and most importantly, raising her two daughters.

Lincoln County Health Board Chairman Sheldon Lutz further extolled Jones.

“On behalf of the Lincoln County Board of Health,” said Lutz, “we are delighted for Lena Jones. She brings many years of experience and knowledge to this position. Lena knows Lincoln County and is an asset to our community.”