From the George Washington Regional Commission:
The George Washington Regional Commission has named Charles Boyles, II (Chip) as the Commission’s new Executive Director. Boyles, who has thirty years of experience in private business management, public body management, and non-profit administration, replaces Linda Millsaps, who resigned in February to take the position of County Administrator in Floyd County. Deputy Director Kate Gibson has served as Interim Executive Director during the recruitment process. At its meeting on Monday, October 25th, the Commission approved an employment agreement with Mr. Boyles.
The Commission conducted a national search for its new Executive Director, assisted by the Berkley Group, of Bridgewater, Virginia. The Berkley Group received applications and conducted initial interviews with candidates. It then assisted a Search Committee, consisting of representatives from area localities, with two rounds of interviews with finalists.
King George Board of Supervisors member Cathy Binder served as Chair of the Search Committee. Binder, said, “We had several strong candidates and Mr. Boyles stood out immediately with his experience in regional planning both in Virginia and elsewhere. We were impressed by his knowledge, demeanor, and professional reputation and believe that he will be an excellent leader of the GWRC staff and will quickly establish positive relationships with member localities and regional stakeholders.”
GWRC Chair, Jeffrey S. Black, a member of the Caroline County Board of Supervisors and the Search Committee, expressed his appreciation to the local representatives who participated in the process. “With everyone’s busy schedules, it was challenging to get everyone together, but we are pleased with the result and welcome Mr. Boyles to the region.” Mr. Black added, “I also want to thank Deputy Director Kate Gibson for the outstanding job that she did as Interim Director for eight months. Kate and the staff kept things functioning well and the Commission is deeply appreciative of their efforts. I feel that we already have one of the best staffs of any planning district commission in the state and, with Mr. Boyles’ leadership and support, it will get even better.”
. Boyles has a BA in Political Science, with a minor in Business Administration, from the University of South Carolina, and a Masters in Public Administration from Clemson University. He started his career as a Community/Economic Development Coordinator with the Low Country Council of Governments in Yemassee, South Carolina. Subsequent positions included Town Manager of Hardeeville, South Carolina, City Manager of Taneytown, MD, Assistant City Administrator in Clemson, SC, Executive Director of the International Town & Gown Association in Clemson, Urban Development Director for the City of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Vice President for Programs and Administration for the East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority. Mr. Boyles came to Virginia in 2014 to serve as the Executive Director of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, representing the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson, and the City of Charlottesville. In February of this year Mr. Boyles was asked to serve as the Charlottesville City Manager to provide some stability during a period of transition in that city’s government. He stepped down from that role on October 12th.
Boyles shared these thoughts on his appointment as GWRC Executive Director, “Some of my most satisfying times in public service were working to grow regional cooperation and relationships among local governments, community members, and regional and state stakeholders. I am very familiar with the work that GWRC has been and is doing and am honored to be allowed to participate in those efforts. I look forward to getting to know the member localities and community stakeholders and, with the GWRC staff and our partner agencies, addressing the needs of the region”
Boyles will assume his duties as George Washington Regional Commission Executive Director on November 1st.
