Shawn Edman

Your Rowan Favorites

Place to Eat: Mambo Grill & Tapas
Outdoor Activity: Bell Tower Green
Event or Festival: Salisbury Pride Festival

Shawn Edman

Director, Terrie Hess Child Advocacy Center, Salisbury, NC

Native of Clarksburg, WV

Industry: Child Advocacy

Shawn Edman came to Rowan County 12 years ago for a great employment opportunity, and he found more than that. “It’s the people,” he says who make Rowan County a special place.

Initially, when he left the Novant medical center network in the Huntersville area to become Director of Professional Support Services at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center, he was drawn here by “the uniqueness of the county.” Then, he learned to know the people.

Rowan County people make living here like nowhere else, he says. He spends his professional time helping people find the resources that they need and finds that “the people are amazing. It’s such a diverse population.” This is a place where our county slogan, “Be an Original,” is a welcome sign to Shawn. “It means don’t pretend to be something you’re not … be yourself,” he says. “There’s a place for you here.”

During his 12 years here, he has adopted children and changed careers. He is now Executive Director of the Terrie Hess Child Advocacy Center. Six years ago, he and his husband of 20 years adopted three children who had experienced abuse and neglect. Their sons are 7 and 8 and their daughter is 6. “I had seen what they went through on their challenging journey to recovery and getting to a healthy place and what we as a family went through. I felt like I could use my skills and talents to expand services here for child abuse and neglect and help more kids.”

He suggests Rowan County’s parks as the top place for a first-time visitors, including his favorite, Bell Tower Green, and Dan Nicholas Park. “Bell Tower Green is beautiful. I like seeing people utilizing the beautiful space. A walk in the park is decompressing and relaxing,” he says.

His favorite restaurant is Mambo Grill & Tapas for the food and lively atmosphere. “Everyone is always laughing and having a good time,” he says.

His favorite event is the Salisbury PRIDE Festival. “It’s a very welcoming festival with great entertainment and it allows people to be themselves,” he says.

During his time here he has become a member of the Salisbury Civitan Club and is the Board of Directors of the Community Care Clinic of Rowan County. He says he has enjoyed watching Rowan County grow. “We’re small but mighty. There is something for everyone here. There is so much opportunity professionally and personally. You get the small-town feel with so much more.”

Your Rowan Favorites

Place to Eat: Mambo Grill & Tapas
Outdoor Activity: Bell Tower Green
Event or Festival: Salisbury Pride Festival