There are several new people in key positions in Albemarle County, and three of them got a mention at the Board of Supervisors meeting this week.
Supervisors did not have to look very far to find someone to be responsible for the county’s ever-growing finances. Supervisor Jim Andrews made this announcement after a closed session on December 6.
“It is my pleasure to move the adoption of a resolution appointing Jacob Sumner as the director of finance [and] chief financial officer,” Andrews said.
Sumner has been serving in the position on an interim basis since May when Nelsie Birch left Albemarle’s government to enter the private sector. He had been in the position of Assistant Chief Financial Officer for Policy and Partnerships.
Before that, Sumner had been director of finance and management services in Hanover County. On Wednesday he thanked the Board for the appointment.
“I truly am humbled and honored to continue my service with the county,” Sumner said. “To our community, I’m part of the community. My service to you all, to the Board. The partnership with the the County Executive and the County Executive’s office and the executive team. I’m super excited to continue the work with the departments and the whole department team and our organizational leadership team.”
One major item underway during Sumner’s time in the position is Albemarle’s purchase of 462 acres of land near the Rivanna Station for $58 million. That has required the securing of short-term financing for the county. The deal has not yet closed according to the county’s property records. Learn more about the acquisition on the county’s website for Rivanna Futures.
“I cannot recall a time when an interim has done things beyond just keeping stabilized but actually moving things forward for the organization,” said Supervisor Ned Gallaway.
Earlier in that day, Sumner led the discussion with the Albemarle School Board about their request for FY2025. I hope to write up that conversation in detail as soon as I can.
New Economic Development Director and Deputy County Executive
On Wednesday, Supervisors were formally introduced to Barry Albrecht, the county’s new economic development director.
“Obviously I’m pretty excited about starting this new position because I showed up two weeks early,” Albrecht said.
Albrecht was previously the CEO of the Central Arizona Economic Development Foundation. He had originally been expected to start on December 18, but Supervisors adopted a resolution moving that up to December 4. (read the resolution)
Albrecht will be responsible for overseeing the update of Project Enable, the county’s economic development strategic plan. He said that was one reason he took the job.
“And I’m more than excited about my study in implementing the Project Enable that you have done an incredible job,” Albrecht said. “Rarely do you see the community engagement illustrated in a strategic plan like Project Enable.”
Have you read the plan? Here it is, if not.
The third new top official is Ann E. Wall, who has been the Deputy County Executive since Monday. Her appointment was announced in September and she replaces Doug Walker who retired earlier this year.
“I am delighted to be here tonight and delighted to be in Albemarle County,” Wall said. “Just a little bit about myself, I grew up in Virginia. I have served for many years in local government primarily in North Carolina where I had various roles in organizations and various roles in cities across North Carolina.”
Wall’s last position was as City Manager of Greenville, North Carolina. That’s the home of East Carolina University.
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