In July, Jon Lanford will serve as Botetourt County’s new assistant county administrator. The position remained vacant for several years, but hiring Lanford ensures Botetourt County administration with a full-time trinity of leadership from County Administrator Gary Larrowe, Deputy Administrator David Moorman, and new Assistant Administrator Lanford.
Lanford is a Chesterfield County native and a graduate of Ferrum College, where he majored in Environmental Science. He arrives in the area after working in Alleghany since 2003, where he served as county engineer, then as the director of Public Works for eight years, and currently serving as Alleghany County’s county administrator.
“I think there is so much in everything you do in local government that translates from a Public Works background because it’s so customer-centric,” Lanford said in a recent phone interview. “The relationships you build with citizens, how you manage projects, how you manage those relationships, and how you work with staff to make sure needs are met just translates well to the overall aspects of local government.”
Lanford started his local government career in Botetourt County 22 years ago. He previously managed the county’s Erosion, Sediment Control, and Stormwater Management programs in the engineering department before leaving for Alleghany. While Lanford isn’t a licensed engineer, he’s worked in the private and public service sectors’ engineering field throughout his professional career.
“Jon Lanford has a wealth of knowledge,” Botetourt County Administrator Gary Larrowe added in a recent phone interview. “I’ve always been very impressed with Jon. He served exceptionally well in Alleghany County. I’ve served with him on several different groups. More importantly, he’s been the [Alleghany] county administrator for the last five years in a small locality.”
Larrowe feels that Lanford having to “touch” every decision made in his previous locality will benefit him as he takes on the assistant county administrator role in Botetourt.
Thirty years after the original consent order, Lanford successfully worked with Alleghany’s administration to complete the Lower Jackson River Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTP). He also helped develop a regional communications system for public safety. Alleghany went from having 50% coverage for public safety operations to over 95%. The administration recently commissioned a $10 million investment in the public safety infrastructure.
“A lot of these are regional efforts in the Highlands,” Lanford commented. “Through Alleghany County, Covington, and others, we all have to work together to be successful on a regional basis. I think that translates to the Roanoke Valley as well.”
Lanford also worked with Alleghany County administrators on joint revenue sharing for economic development purposes similar to the Western Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority’s development projects. More recently, Lanford helped with a 60-year effort merging the Alleghany County and City of Covington public school divisions.
“The [Alleghany County] Board of Supervisors deserves all the credit for those things happening, but I was able to help them navigate that process,” Lanford added.
Lanford sees the growth in Botetourt County and is excited to work with the other county administrators and is impressed with the leadership skills of the members of Botetourt County Board of Supervisors.
“I look forward to the opportunity, meeting the folks, and I also look forward to continuing all the positive things that are occurring in Botetourt County while building those relationships,” Lanford concluded.
Deputy County Administrator David Moorman recently spoke of Lanford’s prior experience working in Botetourt, stating, “I worked with Jon a bit when was [in Botetourt] before. I’m very pleased to have him re-join our team. He will be a great addition and compliment to the county.”
Lanford begins his role as Botetourt County’s new assistant county administrator on July 19.
