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HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL NR 2019-01-17 key new hires Town of Leesburg News Release For Immediate Release January 17, 2019 Media Contact: Betsy Arnett, Public Information Officer barnett@leesburgva.gov  703-771-2734 Town of Leesburg Fills Key Staff Positions New Assistant Zoning Administrator, Preservation Planner, and Urban Forester began with the Town in December. Leesburg, VA (January 17, 2019) – The Town of Leesburg filled several key staff positions during December 2018. Robert Walton has stepped into the role of Assistant Zoning Administrator, filling the vacancy created by Michael Watkins’ promotion. Walton comes to Leesburg from Fauquier County where he was the Zoning Administrator. He was hired by Fauquier County in 2011 as a Senior Planner and was promoted to Chief of Zoning and Development Services before taking over the Zoning Administrator position in 2017. Previously, he worked for Loudoun County and a private engineering firm in Manassas, Virginia. Walton holds a bachelor’s degree from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. As Assistant Zoning Administrator, Walton will oversee the Town’s zoning enforcement program. Lauren Murphy is the Town’s new Preservation Planner. Prior to joining the Town of Leesburg, Murphy spent over two years with the Fairfax County Office of Community Revitalization where she worked on the urban revitalization of Reston and the creation of the newly endorsed Guidelines for Development in the Reston Transit Station Areas. Previous positions include historic preservation and community outreach specialist for Loudoun County and as senior planner for the Town of Purcellville. While with the Loudoun County Department of Planning & Zoning, her outreach work on the Joint Architectural Review Board Awards program was Rob Walton Lauren Murphy recognized by the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC). Murphy holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Urban Affairs from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. In her new position, Murphy will serve as staff liaison to the Board of Architectural Review and will work with residents and property owners in the Old & Historic District. Tyler Wright has filled the newly re-aligned position of Urban Forester and Landscape Specialist, now located in the Department of Public Works and Capital Projects. Originally from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Wright spent the last six years as the Lead Urban and Community Forester for the Texas Trees Foundation in Dallas, Texas. Prior to moving to Texas, he worked for the cities of Spokane and Seattle, Washington, as well as in the private and non-profit sector in Washington and North Carolina. Wright holds a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University and a master’s degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. As the Town’s Urban Forester, Wright’s initial projects will include a digitized and updated urban tree canopy anaylsis, a public tree inventory, and iTree Eco research study. “All three of these positions have a direct impact on the quality of life for Leesburg’s residents,” noted Leesburg Town Manager Kaj Dentler. “Rob, Lauren, and Tyler all bring impressive experience from other communities with them to their new roles, and our residents will benefit from that knowledge.” # # # Tyler Wright