Richmond is getting ready to welcome a new Chief Administrative Officer! Part of that process involves understanding who a CAO is and what they do. Dr. Thad Williamson, Senior Policy Strategist in the Mayor's Office, has all the answers we need.

So, what is a CAO?

Under Richmond City's charter, the mayor appoints a Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) with strong executive and administrative qualifications. This person has virtually all of the formal authority to run the city's administrative operations. The CAO is responsible for personnel decisions, financial and administrative activities, and close relationships with City Council.

City agencies do many different things and city employees bring many different disciplines and skillsets to their work. The CAO is like an orchestra conductor, who guides each agency and ultimately each employee in playing their distinctive part in the City's collective success.

What is the difference between the mayor's job and the CAO's job?

The charter describes the mayor as the "chief executive officer of the city" and the "head of government." This person is elected by Richmond's residents, and one of their most important responsibilities is appointing a qualified CAO. Because the mayor is elected, they might have a range of different professional experiences. A CAO provides expertise in navigating a public administration environment.

The mayor is the public face of city government and engages the community, and the CAO brings management expertise to the day-to-day work of City Hall. The CAO fills many of the functions that a city or county manager would do elsewhere. The ideal is that you have a mayor who articulates a clear vision and policy direction for the City and then the CAO can supervise the details and implementation of that vision. Think of it as a chief executive officer (mayor) and chief operating officer (CAO). In practice, Mayor Danny Avula-who does have significant professional experience in public sector leadership-and [CAO] will work closely together to address the City's challenges at both the policy and operational levels.

What skills and experience does a CAO need?

The CAO has to have a wide-ranging skill set. They need the ability to process lots of different kinds of information in real time, including information about policy, financial, and personnel issues. They have to be a good and confident decision-maker who establishes a process for catching and fixing mistakes. They have to be able to assemble strong teams of people. The CAO needs hands-on, detailed knowledge of everything going on at City Hall so that they can be responsive to questions not only from the Mayor, but from City Council and the wider public.

How did we go about finding a CAO?

Our charter says that "The mayor shall appoint a CAO, subject to the advice and consent of a majority of the members of city council, who shall be chosen solely on the basis of his/her executive and administrative qualifications." This means that the mayor is responsible for locating a CAO, and then that appointment is approved by City Council.

There needed to be a thoughtful process to find the right person with all the necessary skill sets. Mayor Avula promised an open, national search while campaigning for office. The City has evolved so much in the past decade that we needed to look across the country to find the person who was best suited to take Richmond to the next level.

What else should the public know about Richmond's CAO?

The CAO will become a familiar figure in our communities. You'll get to know more about the CAO through City Council meetings and other public sessions, like Council district meetings.

The City of Richmond is a complex municipal organization with some long-standing challenges, and the CAO's work is critical for addressing those challenges. It takes a lot of courage, confidence, and skill to take on a role like this. We all want to see a more efficient and responsive City Hall that practices strong resource management and clear communication. The CAO will help us get there!

¡Richmond se prepara para darle la bienvenida a un nuevo Oficial Administrativo en Jefe (CAO, por sus siglas en inglés)! Como parte del proceso hay que comprender lo que hace el CAO. El estratega principal de políticas de la Oficina del Alcalde, el Dr. Thad Williamson, tiene todas las respuestas que necesitamos.

Qué hace el CAO?

De acuerdo a los estatutos de la Ciudad de Richmond, el alcalde nombra a un Oficial Administrativo en Jefe (CAO) con sólidas calificaciones ejecutivas y administrativas. Esta persona tiene prácticamente toda la autoridad formal para dirigir las operaciones de la ciudad. El CAO es responsable de las decisiones de personal, las actividades financieras y administrativas, y de mantener una relación cercana con el Concejo Municipal.

Las agencias de la ciudad hacen muchas cosas diferentes y los empleados de la ciudad aportan muchas disciplinas y habilidades diferentes a sus trabajos. El CAO es como un director de orquesta, que guía a cada agencia y, en última instancia, a cada empleado para desempeñar su papel particular en el éxito colectivo de la Ciudad.

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre el trabajo del CAO y el del alcalde?

Los estatutos describen al alcalde como el "director ejecutivo de la ciudad" y el "jefe de gobierno". Esta persona es elegida por los residentes de Richmond, y una de sus responsabilidades más importantes es nombrar a un CAO calificado. Debido a que los alcaldes son funcionarios elegidos, es posible que los que ocupen ese cargo tengan diversas experiencias profesionales. Un CAO aporta su experiencia para desenvolverse en un entorno de administración pública.

El alcalde es la cara pública del gobierno de la ciudad e involucra a la comunidad, y el CAO aporta experiencia en gestión al trabajo diario de la administración municipal. El CAO cumple muchas de las funciones que tendría un administrador de una ciudad o condado en otro lugar. Lo ideal es que haya un alcalde que articule una visión clara y una dirección política para la Ciudad, y luego el CAO pueda supervisar los detalles y la implementación de esa visión. Es similar a lo que hacen el director ejecutivo (alcalde) y el director de operaciones (CAO) de una compañía. En la práctica, el alcalde Danny Avula, quien tiene una experiencia profesional significativa en liderazgo del sector público, y el CAO trabajarán en estrecha colaboración para abordar los desafíos de la Ciudad tanto a nivel político como operativo.

¿Qué habilidades y experiencia necesita un CAO?

El CAO debe tener un amplio conjunto de habilidades. Necesita la capacidad de procesar muchos tipos diferentes de información en tiempo real, incluyendo información sobre cuestiones políticas, financieras y de personal. Debe tener la capacidad de tomar decisiones buenas y decisivas y establecer un proceso para detectar y corregir errores. Debe ser capaz de formar sólidos equipos con el personal. El CAO necesita un conocimiento práctico y detallado de todo lo que sucede en el Ayuntamiento para que pueda responder, tanto a las preguntas del Alcalde, como a las del Concejo Municipal y del público en general.

¿Cómo hicimos para encontrar un CAO?

Los estatutos de Richmond dicen que "El alcalde nombrará a un CAO, sujeto al consejo y consentimiento de la mayoría de los miembros del Concejo Municipal, quien será elegido únicamente sobre la base de sus calificaciones ejecutivas y administrativas". Esto significa que el alcalde es responsable de identificar a un CAO, y luego ese nombramiento es aprobado por el Concejo Municipal.

Fue necesario un proceso concienzudo para encontrar a la persona adecuada con todas las habilidades necesarias. El alcalde Avula prometió una búsqueda abierta a nivel nacional mientras estaba en campaña para su cargo actual. La Ciudad ha evolucionado tanto en la última década que necesitábamos buscar en todo el país para encontrar a la persona más adecuada para llevar a Richmond al siguiente nivel.

¿Qué más debería saber el público sobre el CAO de Richmond?

El CAO se convertirá en una figura familiar en nuestras comunidades. Conocerán más sobre el CAO a través de las sesiones del Concejo Municipal y otras sesiones públicas, como las asambleas distritales del Concejo.

La Ciudad de Richmond es una organización municipal compleja con algunos retos pendientes desde hace tiempo, y el trabajo del CAO es fundamental para abordar esos desafíos. Se necesita mucho valor, confianza y habilidad para asumir un papel como este; todos queremos ver un Ayuntamiento más eficiente y receptivo que practique una sólida gestión de recursos y una comunicación clara. ¡El CAO nos ayudará a conseguirlo!

Richmonders are invited to celebrate and reflect on the first 100 days of Mayor Danny Avula’s tenure in office with a special Day of Service and Celebration on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Mayor Avula will kick off the day at Southside Community Center (6255 Old Warwick Road) beginning at 9am with an event that includes reflections and performances. A reception will follow where residents can greet the Mayor and learn more about his vision for Richmond.  

"The real focus of the day will be the service projects that offer a chance to engage with new neighbors, learn about different parts of our great city, and contribute meaningfully to the betterment of our community, " said Mayor Danny Avula. "The hope is that together, we can help make a positive impact on the local community and continue our work toward a thriving Richmond where no one gets left behind."

Partnering with the Community Foundation, the City has organized service projects in each Council district addressing the various needs of Richmond's diverse neighborhoods. Residents will also have the opportunity to join Mayor Avula outdoors as many of the projects are being led by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities in honor of Earth Day. Residents can obtain free tickets for the event at https://tinyurl.com/RVAService. Those that are interested in the community service projects can visit https://www.cfengage.org/rvagov to register.

Posted on April 02, 2025 | Updated on April 7, 2025

Building Climate Resilience Through Community Partnerships

Richmond, VA - April is Earth Month in Richmond, and the Office of Sustainability is proud to highlight several key initiatives that demonstrate our commitment to creating a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient city. From community-based grant programs to innovative renewable energy projects and policy initiatives, we're working across departments and with community partners to bring the goals of RVAgreen 2050 to life.

Supporting Neighborhood Climate Resilience

The Neighborhood Climate Resilience Grant (NCRG) Program stands as one of our community-based initiatives with the most impact. This program supports the implementation of equity-centered, neighborhood-based planning and climate resilience projects within the City of Richmond.

This April, City Council will consider $250,000 in funds for 2025 NCRG Recipients, including:

• Flipp, Inc.
• Studio Two Three
• Reedy Creek Coalition
• Future Habitats
• ProFarms Gateway
• Richmond Community ToolBank
• Renewal of Life Land Trust

These organizations represent the diversity of approaches needed to build true climate resilience in our communities — from urban agriculture and food security to green infrastructure, community education, and environmental justice initiatives.

Innovative Renewable Energy: From Landfill to Solar Farm

City Council will soon consider an exciting project to repurpose the capped landfill at the East Richmond Road Convenience Center into a solar farm and pollinator meadow.

The site, which operated as a landfill from the 1960s until 1986, represents a perfect opportunity for beneficial reuse. Given the restricted uses of the capped section, it is an ideal candidate for a solar photovoltaic energy system complemented by a pollinator meadow.

This project exemplifies our commitment to finding innovative solutions that address multiple environmental challenges simultaneously - generating clean energy while supporting ecosystem services through pollinator habitat.

Policy for Plastic Reduction

Also in April, Richmond will take an important step toward reducing plastic waste when a five-cent Disposable Plastic Bag Fee is introduced to City Council for consideration.

Based on an analysis of similar Virginia cities that have adopted this fee, the Office of Sustainability estimates Richmond residents would pay an average of $2.12 per person, and the city would generate about $371,000 in revenue annually as a result of the charge.

Revenue generated from this program will support environmental education programs, provide reusable bags to SNAP and WIC recipients, and fund cleanup initiatives — ensuring the benefits of this policy reach those most impacted by plastic pollution.

Earth Day 2025: Launching "Cool the City"

The highlight of our Earth Month activities will be the official launch of "Cool the City" on Earth Day, April 22nd. The community is invited to join us at Broad Rock Sports Complex from 4-6pm, where Mayor Danny Avula and Councilmember Nicole Jones will speak about this groundbreaking initiative.

Cool the City represents a five-year grant funded collaboration between four community-based organizations and three City of Richmond offices (Department of Public Works, Office of Sustainability, and Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities). Partners include Southside ReLeaf, Groundwork RVA, Happily Natural, and Virginia Interfaith Power and Light.

The Cool the City coalition will work to increase tree canopy, reduce the urban heat island effect, and build capacity in our frontline communities. Through this collaboration we anticipate significant outcomes including increased urban tree canopy, improved health outcomes, and increased community capacity in Richmond's frontline communities.

Funding for this project was provided by the USDA Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program. USDA and the City of Richmond are equal opportunity providers and employers.

Join Us This Earth Month

We invite all Richmond residents to engage with these initiatives throughout Earth Month. Whether attending the Cool the City launch, providing input on the proposed disposable plastic bag tax, or learning more about our Neighborhood Climate Resilience Grantees, there are many ways to participate in building a more sustainable Richmond.

For more information on these and other sustainability initiatives, visit rvagreen2050.com or follow us on social media @RVAgreen2050.

Together, we can create a greener, more resilient Richmond for generations to come.

Posted on Feb. 23, 2025
By Danny Avula

Hey, Richmond. It's your mayor, Danny.

Recently, I joined 133 mayors across the country in urging Congress to preserve the federal clean energy tax credits. These credits are at risk of being eliminated, which would impact successful clean-energy programs like the improvements we're making here in Richmond to our municipal fleet.

Today, we uses these tax credits to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure for our fleet - a program recently ranked 37th among all public fleets in North America for its operational efficiency. This recognition shows how our careful approach to fleet management, transitioning to electric vehicles and building charging stations, both reduces maintenance and fuel costs and improves service delivery to residents. Plus, the financial benefits are tangible: These credits help Richmond implement targeted improvements while managing costs for taxpayers. Over 500 local governments across the country are using similar cost-effective approaches to improve their municipal services.

We know how to use use these tools effectively to benefit residents and build resilient communities. We also know these credits are working for Richmond and help us make improvements that enhance city services while being mindful of the cost to residents. That's why I've signed onto this letter to Congress.

As we continue to look for ways to operate more efficiently and reduce costs, we need certainty that these proven funding tools will remain available to cities like Richmond. If you'd like to learn more about our Office of Sustainability, visit RVAgreen2050.com and sign up the newsletter.

By: Danny Avula; Posted on: Jan. 21, 2025

That was not how I was expecting to start this administration!   

On January 5, just days after I was sworn in as Mayor with an ambitious plan to build a thriving city that leaves no one behind, the City of Richmond was hit by the first big winter storm of the season.  

A second storm six days later dropped even more snow on us. 

Monday morning, as my kids were gearing up to go sledding, I jumped into a plow truck with a member of our Department of Public Works team as he treated city streets with rock salt and sand to keep roads passable for drivers.  

That same day, we learned that the winter weather delivered another serious challenge: a storm-related power outage that led to flooding at the city’s water treatment plant, loss of function of our filters and pumps, the eventual loss of water service to the City and portions of the region, and a boil water advisory being issued as a public health precaution.  

The next 144 hours were an all-hands-on-deck whirlwind as we worked around the clock to restore water service.  Systemwide pressure levels necessary to get water flowing were achieved by Thursday, and two rounds of testing confirmed on Saturday that our water is safe to drink. 

Throughout that time, city government staff from across the enterprise mobilized to meet the needs of Richmonders. We activated our Emergency Operations Center to centralize and coordinate our response efforts. 

We quickly stood up a citywide distribution network to get packaged water into the hands of people throughout the week. 

With more snow inbound, our goal was to ensure that water would continue to flow in the event of another power outage.  We deployed additional personnel (city staff, contractors, and outside experts), resources, and equipment to the water plant heading into last weekend. We also implemented new processes and protocols to closely monitor water system function and staff expectations. 

Those steps have helped keep the system running. 

While restoration efforts succeeded, there is no doubt lives were impacted by the outage.  

To address that, we are taking a series of actions to help families, individuals and small businesses in need. 

I made an initial pledge of $25,000 from the Richmond Forward Together PAC to support recovery efforts and encourage people to give if they can. 

The City continues to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in eviction diversion programs administered by non-profit partners to help vulnerable families stay in their homes. 

We are planning a future Water Recovery Week as a good will promotional effort to encourage people to patronize businesses and restaurants and to donate to relief efforts.  

The City is also filing with the U.S. Small Business Administration in pursuit of economic injury disaster loans for small businesses and is applying to the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency to recover City money spent during the emergency response. 

And we have temporarily extended City bill payment due dates by 10-days to provide people with a grace period in light of recent events. 

These steps are important in supporting our community, but there is more we need to do.  The public wants, and deserves, answers as to how this water crisis happened. 

Better understanding what occurred at the water plant will be a focus of the thorough, transparent independent investigation this administration has promised to deliver. Having a fresh set of eyes to provide an unbiased view of events as they transpired will offer a clear assessment of the situational performance of plant machinery and personnel. We are moving rapidly, but not recklessly, towards that goal. And we are doing so in collaboration with City Council. 

Even as we pursue that work, it is important to reflect more broadly on what this episode reveals. 

This moment has taught us that we need to think comprehensively about emergency planning and disaster preparedness.  

We must examine our critical infrastructure systems in the City to understand how they work, and what points in the system are aging or have the potential to malfunction under stress.  

This requires a full evaluation of the strengths and vulnerabilities of these systems and their ability to withstand weather events, natural disasters, and other potential calamities.  

This water crisis has underscored the fundamental idea that a thriving city is one that reliably delivers essential services to its people. 

But a thriving city take other forms as well.  

During the campaign, I pledged to focus on strengthening resilience in our City by pursuing policies that promote inclusivity, thriving neighborhoods, the health and well-being of children and families, and an effective and accountable City Hall. 

That work must, and will, continue. I am unwavering in my commitment to build a city that leaves no one behind.  

We have our work cut out for us, Richmond. 

As we approach it, I am encouraged by, and profoundly grateful for, the efforts city staff and community partners who stepped up to help in a time of uncertainty. 

And I am determined to do everything in my power as your Mayor to keep our community safe. 

Just as our team did during the water outage, we are ready to roll up our sleeves and dig in to get the job done. 

Let’s get to work! 

via: Danny Avula: Richmond, we have our work cut out (Richmond Times-Dispatch)