SALISBURY — Rowan County government has hired Andy Downs as senior internal auditor.

“I look forward to working with Andy in his efforts to provide ethical and regulatory oversight of all Rowan County operations,” County Manager Aaron Church said in a news release.

The senior internal auditor position is new. The county previously had an internal auditor, Derrik Atkins, who recently retired.

Downs began his career in internal auditing at Wachovia Corporation in 2003 when he was hired as a loss prevention officer. In 2005, he was promoted to assistant vice president over all aspects of deposit fraud. In 2008, he was promoted to vice president of financial crimes manager responsible for investigating check fraud claims.

Since 2012, he has served as vice president responsible for external fraud investigations, payment card fraud detection, conduct risk, ethics oversight and surveillance monitoring.

Prior to beginning his career in internal auditing, Downs served as a firefighter/EMT for the City of Concord and as a law enforcement officer for the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Kannapolis Police Department. Downs also currently teaches multiple EMT and law enforcement courses.

Downs holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal science, and is currently pursing a second bachelor’s degree in pastoral studies which he plans to finish in 2023. He is also a certified fraud examiner, fraud specialist, financial crimes investigator, financial crimes specialist and forensic interviewer.

Downs currently resides in Concord with his wife Carla and their three children. In his off time he enjoys fishing and spending time with his family.