Percy C. Ashcraft

I certainly come at it from close range, but I don’t mind telling anybody that will listen that Prince George County Government has some of the best talent assembled among its employee base in the entire Commonwealth.

The leadership of the executive team sets the pace for the entire group of employees, which combined full and part-time reaches close to 300 in any given year.

Learning to lead is an acquired skill that takes understanding, patience and a sense of fairness.  It pleases me to report that all of the department heads possess those skills and more, and their combined education and training has helped them advance rapidly in their careers.

Since 2012, Prince George County has sent a department head to the prestigious LEAD Virginia program, known as one of the top executive leadership courses in the Commonwealth.  The course is designed to help leaders in both the public and private sector sharpen their leadership skills, and also learn from their colleagues the ongoing challenges of those in leadership positions.

Most recently, Prince George County’s Director of Information Technology - Kirsten Cherry - graduated from the program.  She joins five other colleagues who have graduated before her.  They include Deputy County Administrator Jeff Stoke, Real Estate Assessor Rod Compton, Parks & Recreation Director Keith Rotzoll, Director of Community Development & Code Compliance Julie Walton and former Finance Director Trish Davidson, now holding that same position in Rockingham County.

Courses like LEAD Virginia help shape the leadership of our employee base.  We require 24 hours of professional training for every employee during the fiscal year, and that is for every employee throughout the organization.  Over the last several years, employees have made tremendous strides in customer service, time management, advanced use of technology and team building with their colleagues.

As the County Administrator, it has been gratifying to sit back and watch our employees develop in their careers and learn new ways too conquer the ever-changing world of local government.  This comes from leadership from the Board of Supervisors and their commitment to be part of an efficient government that is fiscally sound and progressive in its approach to the rapid lives that we lead.

Congrats to Kirsten and the other department heads who have benefited from their time in LEAD Virginia.  We look forward to others receiving their graduation certificates from Prince George County in the years to come.