About Butch Lawter
r A lifelong public servant, engineer, and community leader, Butch Lawter brings decades of experience in local government, regional leadership, and infrastructure development to his service in Johnston County.
A proud North Carolina native born in Bat Cave, Henderson County, Butch has lived in Clayton and Johnston County for more than 33 years. He has been married to his wife, Kimberly, for 15 years, and together they raised five children—all educated in Johnston County public schools and now living and working in the county. Known proudly as “Poppi B,” Butch is the grandfather of eight grandsons, six of whom are currently enrolled in Johnston County schools or preschools. His immediate family all call Johnston County home, and he is an active member and partner of Overflow Church.
Butch currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners and previously served as Chairman from 2021 to 2025. He has represented District 7 (Clayton) since 2018. Prior to his service at the county level, he served on the Clayton Town Council from 1999 to 2003 and again from 2008 to 2018.
Professionally, Butch is a licensed Professional Engineer with more than 35 years of experience in engineering and infrastructure construction. He currently serves as Senior Delivery Officer with WithersRavenel, Inc., where he has held leadership roles since 2016. His career also includes senior engineering and management positions with S. T. Wooten Corporation, Triangle Environmental, and Westinghouse Environmental & Geotechnical Services.
Beyond local government, Butch has played a key role in regional and statewide leadership. He is Chair of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) for 2026 and has served on its Executive Board since 2011. He previously served as Chair of the Central Pines Regional Council and continues to serve on its Executive Board. At the state level, he serves on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners and chairs its Tax & Finance Subcommittee. He is also a Trustee of Johnston Community College.
Butch’s leadership is guided by a simple principle: responsible growth, sound infrastructure, strong schools, and a future where Johnston County remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
A proud North Carolina native born in Bat Cave, Henderson County, Butch has lived in Clayton and Johnston County for more than 33 years. He has been married to his wife, Kimberly, for 15 years, and together they raised five children—all educated in Johnston County public schools and now living and working in the county. Known proudly as “Poppi B,” Butch is the grandfather of eight grandsons, six of whom are currently enrolled in Johnston County schools or preschools. His immediate family all call Johnston County home, and he is an active member and partner of Overflow Church.
Butch currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners and previously served as Chairman from 2021 to 2025. He has represented District 7 (Clayton) since 2018. Prior to his service at the county level, he served on the Clayton Town Council from 1999 to 2003 and again from 2008 to 2018.
Professionally, Butch is a licensed Professional Engineer with more than 35 years of experience in engineering and infrastructure construction. He currently serves as Senior Delivery Officer with WithersRavenel, Inc., where he has held leadership roles since 2016. His career also includes senior engineering and management positions with S. T. Wooten Corporation, Triangle Environmental, and Westinghouse Environmental & Geotechnical Services.
Beyond local government, Butch has played a key role in regional and statewide leadership. He is Chair of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) for 2026 and has served on its Executive Board since 2011. He previously served as Chair of the Central Pines Regional Council and continues to serve on its Executive Board. At the state level, he serves on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners and chairs its Tax & Finance Subcommittee. He is also a Trustee of Johnston Community College.
Butch’s leadership is guided by a simple principle: responsible growth, sound infrastructure, strong schools, and a future where Johnston County remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family.