[Archived] Alexandria City Manager Rashad M. Young Resigns to Become D.C. City Administrator

For immediate release: December 9, 2014

City Manager Rashad M. Young has informed Alexandria City Council that he will resign effective January 1, 2015, to accept appointment by Mayor-Elect Muriel Bowser as City Administrator for the Government of the District of Columbia.

"We are grateful to Rashad for the contributions he's made to our community over the last three years," said Mayor William D. Euille.  "His work has made Alexandria a better place to live, work, and visit, and we are proud that Mayor-Elect Bowser has asked him to share his talents with our nation’s capital."

In 2011, Young became Alexandria’s youngest and first African American city manager.  He now oversees a workforce of approximately 3,700 employees and a general fund operating budget of nearly $637 million. His tenure in Alexandria has been highlighted by initiatives aimed at improving communication, performance, and accountability throughout the organization.

Young initiated "Four Guiding Principles" for all employees, including alignment of work with City Council’s Strategic Plan; accountability for results; leadership and ownership; and a culture of service excellence and creativity.  He worked to bring new focus to the City's long-term financial stability by updating the annual operating and capital budget development process, developing a five-year forecasting model, and implementing a budget philosophy based on strategic outcomes.

Young created a new Office of Performance and Accountability to measure and analyze programs and service delivery, and a new Department of Project Implementation to more effectively manage the City's growing infrastructure improvements.  He directed new training, development and advancement opportunities for employees, while overseeing the modernization of internal processes and work rules.  A new "Call.Click.Connect." service provides improved customer service options to report issues or request City services, and staff worked extensively with the community to produce a new civic engagement framework adopted by City Council as the "What’s Next, Alexandria?" handbook.

Over the past three years, the City has marked several major economic development milestones, including the successful launch of the Waterfront Plan and the National Science Foundation's announced move to Alexandria.

"I am proud of the work we have been able to accomplish during my tenure here, which would not have been possible without such an engaged and caring City Council and community, and an exceptionally talented and dedicated workforce." said Young. "Leaving Alexandria is bittersweet, but I am also excited by an opportunity to further my commitment to effective local government on a scale that impacts all Americans.  This experience has been the most challenging and rewarding of my 20-plus year career in local government, and I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to serve as your City Manager.  Alexandria is a truly special place, and my family and I have been honored to be part of this community."

City Council will appoint an Acting City Manager at a later time.

For media inquiries, please contact Craig Fifer, Director of Communications and Public Information, at craig.fifer@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3965.