HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2010-03-19 Mac Willingham CFM
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Betsy Fields
Research & Communications Manager
703‐771‐2734
Town of Leesburg Engineer Achieves
“Certified Floodplain Manager” Designation
Leesburg, VA (March 19, 2010) – Mac K. Willingham, Senior Engineer with the Town of
Leesburg’s Department of Plan Review, recently received Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM)
designation from the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM). Responsible for
managing the Town’s FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) floodplains, Mac
reviews all land development applications that involve modifications or alterations to existing
floodplains before those plans are sent to FEMA for approval.
“When we send plans to FEMA, having a Certified Floodplain Manager review the plans will give
our applications a higher level of credibility,” explained Bill Ackman, Director of Plan Review,
and Mac’s supervisor. “We anticipate that future floodplain alteration applications will go
through the FEMA review process more smoothly with fewer comments and changes needed,
now that we have a CFM on staff.”
Mac has been with the Town of Leesburg since July 1985. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in
Civil Engineering from West Virginia University in 1979. Mac has completed the prerequisites
to take the Professional Engineer (PE) license exam, and plans to sit for the exam this fall.
“Management of our floodplains has been increasing in importance over the past decade.
Floodplains associated with Town Branch and Tuscarora Creek impact significant sections of the
Town, and as we look to develop or redevelop these areas, having floodplain management
expertise on staff will enable the Town to work with the development community to protect
and enhance the Town’s natural environment,” commented John Wells, Town Manager.
“Our organization’s greatest assets are the staff, and we make every effort to invest in our
people. Mac’s Certified Floodplain Manager designation reflects our commitment to providing
the highest quality services to our residents,” Wells added.
The Certified Floodplain Manager program was created in 1999 by the Association of State
Floodplain Managers in response to the growing emphasis on floodplain management and
TOL PR 2010‐03‐19 Mac Willingham CFM
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flood hazard mitigation at the local, state and federal levels. Today, over 6,000 professionals
have received the CFM designation. For more information about ASFPM and the Certified
Floodplain Manager program, visit www.floods.org.
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