Filardo to retire as Albemarle’s Community Development Director

Albemarle County adopted a new Comprehensive Plan on October 15, a document that will go into effect on January 1, 2026.

A month after that, a person who has been in charge of the department that oversees land use planning and permitting in Albemarle County will retire.

Jodie Filardo has been the director of Albemarle County’s Department of Community Development since 2019. She’s stepping down after a nearly five decades career in local government and the private sector.

“Over my 47-year career in large private sector companies and multiple local governments, I’ve seen the remarkable work of people striving to make their communities better,” Filardo said in an information release sent out at 2:02 p.m. “My time with Albemarle County has truly been the grand finale of my professional life.”

Since 2019, the Community Development Department has launched a new permitting portal called Civic Access. Other achievements include securing a $2 million dollar planning grant from the federal government for a trail to connect the Blue Ridge Tunnel in Afton with downtown Charlottesville via Crozet.

“Jodie has brought a wealth of experience and perspective to Albemarle County,” the release quotes Deputy County Executive Ann Wall. “Over the last six years, she has not only led the Community Development team to improve services for our community but has also acted as a leader in the organization through her dedication to public service.”

The recruitment process will begin in the coming weeks.

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