Saturday, October 12, 2024

City of Williamsburg Announces New Assistant City Manager

City of Williamsburg has announced that Michele Mixner DeWitt as the City of Williamsburg’s Assistant City Manager. (Courtesy of City of Williamsburg)

WILLIAMSBURG — City Manager Andrew O. Trivette is pleased to announce the hire of Michele Mixner DeWitt as the City of Williamsburg’s Assistant City Manager.

DeWitt, who has been the City’s Economic Development Director for the past 16 years, will begin her new position on Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. As assistant city manager, DeWitt will manage strategic planning projects, spearhead special projects, lead the City’s legislative effort, and oversee contracts for services.

“Michele approaches every task with an energy and skill that is motivating,” Trivette said. “Her ability to execute a vision will mean great things for our organization and community.”

DeWitt was chosen after a nationwide recruitment and selection process. The assistant city manager position has been vacant since 2019, when Trivette, who last served in the role, was promoted to city manager.

“Any candidate should be proud to be selected after our rigorous interview process, which leaves little room for error and helps ensure that the chosen candidate is unquestionably the best candidate for the job,” Trivette said. “The interview team was impressed with Michele’s enthusiasm and love for Williamsburg and the work we do as a city staff.”

In 2005 DeWitt joined the City of Williamsburg as its first Economic Development Director, building a productive, efficient, department that now includes three staff, provides concierge services to existing and new businesses, manages the $5 million City Tourism Development Fund, serves as landlord of the Triangle Building, and staffs the Economic Development Authority.

Prior to Williamsburg, DeWitt’s public sector career has included work on the Middle Peninsula, West Point, and for the Commonwealth of Virginia. In Middlesex, she was the first environmental planner in a locality with 135 miles of shoreline. At the state, she started as the manager of a new economic development program and managed several other economic development programs. DeWitt is also a past president of the Virginia Economic Developers Association.

DeWitt is also a volunteer with, and former chairman of, Housing Partnerships and sits on the Williamsburg-James City County Superintendent’s Advisory Committee and the Williamsburg Farmers Market Board. She is also an active member of the Williamsburg Garden Club and serves on the Finance Committee of the Garden Club of Virginia.

“As a resident and longtime employee of the City, I am continually impressed with the quality of service and the dedication of the employees,” DeWitt said. “I am honored and excited to take on a broader role with the City of Williamsburg as the new assistant city manager.”

Senior Economic Development Specialist Yuri Adams will serve as acting economic development director until a recruitment process can be completed.

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