Eddie Smith
Eddie Smith joined the School of Government in 2026 as an adjunct faculty member for the MPA program, where he teaches Local Government Management.
Smith has served as deputy city manager of Kannapolis since 2005. He has direct responsibility for the police, fire, and the two assistant city managers. Previously, he served as town manager in the town of Elkin and the town of Lake Waccamaw. His leadership roles include being a past-president of Kannapolis Rotary Club and several chair positions for the North Carolina City & County Managers Association, where he currently serves as 2nd vice president; he also contributes his time as a member of various community boards, including Cabarrus Rotary, Rowan-Cabarrus YMCA; and previous commitments with Cabarrus Area Crime Stoppers, Cabarrus Academic Learning Center, and Upward Basketball.
Smith earned a B.S. in criminal justice and a master of public administration from Appalachian State University. He completed Public Executive Leadership Academy and Municipal and County Administration at the School of Government.
