Drew Ball is a policy expert, volunteer firefighter, and community organizer who believes local government works best when it focuses on making people’s lives better.

He has proven to be calm in crisis, grounded in service, and focused on real solutions.

With more than two decades of experience in public service and advocacy, Drew has focused his career on strengthening communities, protecting public health, clean air and water, and making government work better at the local level. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from American University and a B.A. in Political Science from NC State. He currently works as the Southeast Campaigns Director for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Drew has led environmental and public-interest work across North Carolina, including as former Director of Environment North Carolina, and through roles with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Sierra Club, and the North Carolina General Assembly. Across each role, his focus has been the same: turning policy into practical solutions

Service is also personal for Drew. He is a volunteer firefighter with the Reynolds Volunteer Fire Department and when Hurricane Helene struck Western North Carolina, Drew was assigned to be his department’s Chief Public Information Officer, helping coordinate disaster response, opening a community supply depot, while raising funds for neighbors in need. The experience reinforced a core belief that guides his leadership — when things are hardest, leaders don’t disappear, they dig in.

Drew has been active in civic and political organizing since 2004, working on Democratic campaigns up and down the ballot. Serving as Western Regional Director for Voter Protection during the 2020 Biden/Harris campaign, and leading campaign efforts for candidates, including Parker Sloan, Kay Hagan, and Heath Shuler. He is a board member of the North Carolina Sierra Club and has served the Buncombe County Democratic Party in multiple local leadership roles.

Drew understands the realities facing Asheville because he has lived them. He has worked as a musician and in the service industry here in Asheville, giving him firsthand experience with the challenges facing artists, hospitality workers, and working families. He attended public schools and comes from a family of educators—his mother was a special education teacher, and his sister is the superintendent of one of the largest school districts in Western North Carolina.

As Asheville enters the next phase of recovery, Drew is focused on moving our community forward—strengthening public services, investing in resilience, and ensuring that local government works for everyone. He will bring experience, compassion, and a deep belief in public service to the Asheville City Council.