HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2013-02-15 new Town staff
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
Doug Parsons and Tracey Shiflett Join Town of Leesburg Staff
Leesburg, VA (February 15, 2013) – The Town of Leesburg recently hired new staff members in
two key positions for the Town.
Doug Parsons has joined the Town as Business Development
Manager. In this position, he will be primarily responsible for
the Town’s business retention efforts, but will also assist with
recruiting new businesses and the development of
entrepreneurial programs. Doug comes to Leesburg from
Weston, West Virginia, where he was the Executive Director
of the Lewis County Economic Development Authority from
2001 to 2012. Previous positions include grant writer with
the Region VI (WV) Planning and Development Council,
assistant director with the Jackson County (WV) Development
Authority, and membership sales with the Charleston (WV)
and Myrtle Beach (SC) Chambers of Commerce. Doug holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism
from West Virginia University.
“Doug is a great addition to our Economic Development team,” said Marantha Edwards,
Leesburg’s Economic Development Director. “He brings a wealth of experience in both
business attraction and retention, plus he has a strong background in community development.
One of the first big projects Doug will be handling is our Youth Career Expo on March 16, 2013,
at the ProJet Aviation hangar. While with the Lewis County EDA, Doug organized a series of job
fairs, so he has been able to hit the ground running with our career expo.”
Tracey Shiflett has been hired as the Town’s new Assistant
Zoning Administrator. In his new position, he will oversee
enforcement of the Town’s Zoning Ordinance. Tracey has been
a professional Planner and Manager for over 20 years and is a
member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
Before coming to Leesburg, he served as the Planning and
Zoning Manager for Purcellville, Virginia. He has worked in
many other Virginia communities including serving as the Town
Manager for Clifton Forge, Director of Community
Development for Fluvanna County, Director of Community &
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TOL PR 02‐15‐13 new Town staff
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Economic Development for Buena Vista and Town Planner in Rocky Mount. He also served 26
years in the United States Navy and Naval Reserve. Tracey earned a Masters of Arts in Public
Administration from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Science in Public
Administration with a Biology Minor from James Madison University.
"We are delighted to have Tracey join us,” said Susan Berry Hill, Leesburg’s Director of Planning
& Zoning. “His planning and zoning experience in other Virginia jurisdictions is extensive and
will be very helpful to the Department. He also has economic development experience and
given how much this position works with town businesses and our Economic Development
staff, we believe Tracey will be a valuable asset to the Town."
Contact:
Betsy Fields
Research & Communications Manager
bfields@leesburgva.gov
703‐771‐2734
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