Congratulations to the Town of Ashland's Nora Amos, who won the 2022 Administrator of the Year Award from the Virginia Association of Zoning Officials (VAZO)!
Nora has served as the Director of Planning & Community Development for the Town of Ashland since November 2008, and during that time has brought a level of expertise and stability to the Planning Department that has been critical to the Town’s success over the past 14 years. Over this period, Nora led the complete re-write of the Town's Comprehensive Plan, which resulted in a plan that was unanimously adopted by Town Council, and is also consistently referred to by Town officials, residents, and businesses as a document that embraces our community values while also serving as a platform for responsible growth.
"In addition to her work as an individual, Nora has been a great team leader for the many planners, code enforcement officers, administrative assistants, and economic development staff she has supervised over the years," said Josh Farrar, Ashland's Town Manager. "We often joke with our larger regional partners that 'we train them and you hire them' referring to the fact that we (the Town and Nora in her role as Director) hire and grow outstanding young professionals in these fields that are sought after by larger governments, the state government, and the private sector."
Josh added, "While Nora is an outstanding mentor; during times like today when it is nearly impossible to find qualified applicants for our many vacant positions, it is critical to note that Nora is also an outstanding planner. She embraces all the typical planning work associated with a small Town, and not simply delegating that work."
Congratulations again to Nora -- thank you for your hard work and dedication to the Center of the Universe!
Pictured: Nora (right) with Lisa Fink-Butler, VAZO Awards Committee Chair