Clayton Announces New Leadership In Engineering Department

CLAYTON – The Town of Clayton is welcoming two key hires to its Engineering Department. Jonathan Ham will serve as the new Engineering Director, and Kinsey Holton will join the team as Assistant Engineering Director. Both begin their roles on Monday, August 11.

Together, Ham and Holton bring decades of experience in public service and municipal engineering. Their leadership will help guide important infrastructure efforts as the Town focuses on what is next.

“As we take on more transformative projects, we need strong and experienced leaders,” said Town Manager Rich Cappola. “Jonathan and Kinsey will help drive major initiatives like the library renovation and implementation of the Clayton on the Move plan, as well as supporting efforts to protect our natural resources. Their professional backgrounds will help us to grow wisely while preserving what makes Clayton special.”

Ham will lead the Engineering Department and be responsible for projects that support public services and infrastructure across Town. He has worked in communities throughout North Carolina and brings a strong background in water and wastewater systems, stormwater planning, and development services.

Before joining Clayton, Ham served as Development Services Manager at Raleigh Water. He also worked for the Town of Garner and Cape Fear Public Utility Authority.

“Jonathan’s deep understanding of water systems brings a helpful perspective to the Engineering Department,” said Deputy Town Manager Courtney Tanner. “He knows how different parts of infrastructure connect, and that will shape how we plan roads, stormwater, and other future building projects. His experience helps us see each project as part of something bigger.”

Ham is a licensed Professional Engineer in North Carolina. He earned a degree in biological engineering from NC State and a Master of Business Administration from UNC Wilmington. His work has earned state and national honors, including Government Engineer of the Year and the PEGASUS Award.

Joining Ham, Holton brings extensive knowledge to help lead day-to-day operations. He will also play an important role in making sure the Town meets state and federal environmental rules.

He has more than 20 years of experience in stormwater and water resource management. Most recently, he served as Infrastructure Management Director for the City of Charleston, South Carolina where he oversaw stormwater systems, environmental compliance, and planning for flood-prone areas.

“Kinsey is a proven public servant who knows how to build strong and resilient infrastructure,” said Tanner. “He has worked in both riverfront and coastal cities, and he brings smart solutions to the table. We are proud to welcome him to Clayton.”

Holton is a licensed Professional Engineer and Certified Floodplain Manager. He holds a degree in environmental engineering from Colorado State University and has led engineering efforts in both North and South Carolina.

The Town’s Engineering Department helps plan, design, and manage public infrastructure – everything from roads and stormwater to water and sewer systems. The department also supports the Town’s long-range planning and building efforts. Learn more at townofclaytonnc.org/engineering.