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The Voice of the

Commonwealth's Counties

Supervisors’ Certification

Leadership Training for VACo Members

The Virginia Certified County Supervisors’ Program was created to provide VACo members with an opportunity to learn how to lead their communities more effectively.

The program provides training to enhance the leadership and decision-making skills of county supervisors in the Commonwealth.

Get Certified!

The Virginia Certified County Supervisors’ Program provides an overview of the issues, expectations, and practices associated with serving as a county supervisor as well as detailed information about local government.

The program consists of three core courses – budgeting; planning, land use and infrastructure; and leadership. 

For more information about the County Supervisor Certification Program, contact Karie Walker at kwalker@vaco.org or 804.343.2504.

MODULE 1 – BUDGETING

January 31 – March 21
COST – $450
INSTRUCTOR: Jay A. Brown

The VACo Virginia Certified County Supervisors’ Program begins with the Budgeting module, and we can’t wait to share the experience with you. The 3-course program spans one year, so sign up now to be in The Class of 2025!

Open to all county supervisors, this exciting course comprises an opening class session, virtual cohort meetings, and a closing class session. As one of the three courses within VACo’s Virginia Certified County Supervisors’ Program, this course tackles the tough topic of county budgeting led by Class Manager Jay Brown. Don’t miss this opportunity to build relationships with your fellow supervisors, learn from some of Virginia’s most experienced local officials, and engage through meaningful discussions and learning materials.

Contact Karie Walker at kwalker@vaco.org with questions or for more information.

MODULE 2 – PLANNING AND LAND USE

May 9 – June 27
COST – $450

INSTRUCTORS
Nick Rogers, AICP, CZA
Will Cockrell, AICP
Andrew Hopewell, AICP, CZA
Jeffrey Farner, AICP

Understanding Planning and Land Use is a vital skill for all Supervisors. This course focuses on teaching the fundamentals of county planning and land use led by Class Instructors from the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association. You will also hear planning and land use experiences from your classmates and other Supervisors from all over the Commonwealth. 

Contact Karie Walker at kwalker@vaco.org with questions or for more information.

MODULE  3 – LEADERSHIP

August – October
COST – $450
INSTRUCTOR: Jane Dittmar

Some of us are natural born leaders. Most of us have to learn leadership. As a County Supervisor – it is imperative that you develop leadership skills that will help you serve during the best and worst of times. Class Manager Jane Dittmar will help you understand and practice this important skill.  

Contact Karie Walker at kwalker@vaco.org with questions or for more information.

PRESS RELEASE

GRADUATES

Jeremy R. Bennett | Virginia Association of Counties | PHOTO

Mary W. Biggs | Montgomery County | PHOTO

Hubert W. Pannell | Halifax County | PHOTO

PRESS RELEASE

GRADUATES

Robert F. Babyok, Jr., Louisa County; 

Floyd M. Brown, Jr., Prince George County;

James P. Crozier, Orange County;

Amy H. DuBois, Mathews County;

 Garland H. Hamlett, Jr., Charlotte County; 

Kay M. Pierantoni, Charlotte County;

Cindy C. Shelton, Stafford County; 

Marlene J. Waymack, Prince George County; 

Dr. Robert S. Westbrook, Lancaster County

PRESS RELEASE

GRADUATES

Norman G. Dill, Albemarle County; 

Kenneth Adam Kidd, Bland County;

Robert McCraw, Carroll County;

Christopher McDonald, Virginia Association of Counties

Thomas H.Sayre, Warren County

Jerry R.Townsend, Prince Edward County

PRESS RELEASE

GRADUATES

Joel C. Acree, Isle of Wight County; Jessie L. Barksdale, Pittsylvania County; Keith C. Blowe, Sussex County; Claudia Hubbard Lundy, Mecklenburg County; Bill Martin, Greene County; Allison B. Mays, Washington County; William M. McCarty, Sr., Isle of Wight County; Larry Nordvig, Powhatan County; Odessa H. Pride, Ed.D, Prince Edward County; Richard F. Randolph, Albemarle County

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GRADUATES

Rick Blevins, Smyth County; Meg Bohmke, Stafford County; James M. Griffith, Alleghany County; Dean A. Lynch, Virginia Association of Counties; Laura Sellers, Stafford County; Steve Wilkerson, Bedford County

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GRADUATES

Pattie Cooper-Jones, Prince Edward County; Jane D. Dittmar, Albemarle County; Stephanie L. Koren, Louisa County; Jack White, Mathews County

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GRADUATES

Jason Daniel Bellows, Lancaster County; Alexa Fritz, Culpeper County; Roger T. Hayden, Patrick County; H.A. “Andy” McCready, Pulaski County; Charles A. Stacy, Tazewell County

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GRADUATES

John Cataldo, Brunswick County; Claire Anne Collins, Bath County; William F. “Bill” Gandel, Prince George County; Don C. Gantt, Jr., Prince Edward County; John Haynes, Richmond County; Dana G. Kilgore, Wise County; Phil D. McCraw, Carroll County; Phillip “Bart” Perdue, Bath County; Cassandra L. Stish, Buckingham County; Robert “Bob” Thomas, Jr., Stafford County; Kevin Wagner, Highland County; John R. Woodward, Page County

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GRADUATE

Joseph C. Straten, Washington County

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GRADUATES

Larry K. Bartlett, Grayson County; David W. Blanchard, Highland County; Brenda Sutherland, Grayson County

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GRADUATES

Stephen W. Bowen, Nottoway County; J.D. Cave, Page County; Donald W. Kidd, Amherst County; Dr. Thomas Littrell, Carroll County; Ernie McLeod, Louisa County

PRESS RELEASE

GRADUATES

Deborah B. Coats, Hanover County; Robert H. Conner, Brunswick County; Willie L. Gentry, Jr., Louisa County; Bernard L. Jones, Sr., Brunswick County; Ann H. Mallek, Albemarle County; Carl Schmitt, Greene County

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GRADUATES

Sharon Baroncelli, Shenandoah County; Kate Berger, Pittsylvania County; Tony Carter, Warren County; David Hutchins, Carroll County; Paul Milde, Stafford County

GRADUATES

John Rust, Page County; William Quarles, Jr., Goochland County; Charles Allbaugh, Fluvanna County

GRADUATES

Wayne A. Acors, Caroline County; Charles C. Ballard, Page County; Phillip A. Bradshaw, Isle of Wight County; Gerald M. Cubbage, Page County; Carol Lee Fischer-Strickler, Page County; Thomas W. Fore, Amherst County; R. Kenneth Hatcher, Powhatan County; Judy S. Lyttle, Surry County; Ronnie L. Shortt, Wise County; Thomas J. Wright, III, Isle of Wight County