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.”
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Tyler Wright