Bryan Downing

A longtime local teacher, coach and school administrator is switching from academia to government service in a role that Warren County Judge-Executive Doug Gorman hopes will improve how county government operates.

Bryan Downing, a Warren County Public Schools educator for the past 15 years, will start in July as Gorman’s deputy judge-executive.

The title isn’t new. Marie Smith held it during the last years of a 59-year tenure with county government that ended in April. But now Gorman envisions an expanded role for the position, one that will help meet the needs of a growing county.

“I was looking for someone who can help me with meetings and also help the magistrates and department heads navigate through their jobs,” said Gorman, who took office in January. “I’m still learning what’s the best use of my time.

“I want to have Bryan complement that so we can be attentive to every agency and organization in the county.”

Taking the $85,000-a-year job is a career pivot for the 37-year-old Downing, but he said after Thursday’s county fiscal court meeting that he was inspired by Gorman to take on the challenge.

“When Doug was running for office last year, I was at an event and heard him mention that if you want Warren County to be great then you had to do something about it,” he said. “That resonated with me.

“After he won the office, he approached me about this job, and that message came back to me. I’ve lived here my whole life, and now I’m raising a family here. To be part of a team that makes Warren County the best place to live and work was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I wanted to take advantage of that.”

Leaving public education was not easy, Downing admits.

The son of two career educators, Downing taught science at South Warren Middle School, coached basketball at the adjoining high school and served for the past six years as SWMS assistant principal.

“I made a lot of great friendships with students and staff, and I’ll miss that,” he said. “Now I’m taking on a new challenge and serving our community in a different way. I felt that this was the right time.”

Gorman thinks so too.

Having worked with Downing on the “Birdies for Brittney” golf scramble held annually in honor of his late daughter, Gorman has seen his new hire’s management skills.

“He has exemplary character, and he’s someone who is very efficient, organized and detail-oriented,” Gorman said. “He will assist me in many facets of this job.”