By Dan McDermott | Photos and Videos by Dan McDermott except where otherwise noted
10:24 pm EDT August 31, 2023
NEW MARKET, Va.—Town Council has chosen Nathan Garrison to be the new Town Manager of New Market.
A motion was put forward by Vice Mayor Peggy Harkness and it passed unanimously by roll call with one member, Scott Wymer absent.
“I move that Nathan Garrison be hired as Town Manager effective September 18, 2023 at a salary of $95,000. I further move that Mr Garrison be appointed the Town Clerk, Zoning Administrator, the FOIA Officer and that he be appointed to the Historical Overlay District Review Board, all effective September 18, 2023. Finally I move that the Mayor be authorized to sign the employment agreement with Mr. Garrison on behalf of the town,” Harkness’s motion read.
Garrison is 29-years-old and already has an impressive resume. “I grew up in Rockingham County and I went to Blue Ridge Community College and James Madison University where I graduated with a public administration degree. I’ve done various jobs in tourism, town management, regional planning and regional economic development in my career. I currently work at the Shenandoah Valley Partnership which is a regional economic development organization in the Shenandoah Valley. Their office is in Harrisonburg and we serve 12 localities.
“I’m very excited! New Market is a great town with a great staff and a great council and I’m really looking forward to meeting some of the citizens and business owners and working on some good things here,” Garrison said
New Market Mayor Larry Bompiani was enthusiastic. “In seeing the resumes that came in, [Nathan’s] was one of the top, especially with his past experience as Town Manager down in Grottoes and we made some calls with some ex-council people who worked with him and they all loved him, said that he did a great job. That alone plus his experience, his youth, his knowledge as far as working with government agencies for grants, connectivity with other movers and shakers. Again, just a great guy,” Bompiani said.
Garrison’s biography at Shenandoah Valley Partnership reads, “Nathan Garrison, a life-long resident of Rockingham County, and alumni of both Blue Ridge Community College and James Madison University, serves SVP as Business Development Manager. Nathan’s past experience includes serving as the Tourism Director for the town of Grottoes and General Manager of Grand Caverns, Town Manager for Grottoes, and worked alongside the Community and Economic Development team at the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission. Additionally, Nathan lead the Shenandoah Valley Travel Association (SVTA) as President from 2020-2022. Bringing a strong passion for the Shenandoah Valley, his goal is to share why it is the best location to live, work, and play. Nathan supports SVP’s core missions by working towards attracting new and expanding existing businesses in the Valley, improving opportunities and quality of life across our region.”
The town had accepted applications since July 12 according to a notice posted on their website.
“The Town of New Market is currently accepting applications for the position of Town Manager. Located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley along the I-81 corridor, the Town of New Market is a historic community of approximately 2,200 full time residents in southern Shenandoah County. The Town is home to The Virginia Museum of the Civil War, the 27 hole, Shenvalee Golf resort and a historic downtown business corridor. The Town employs 21 F/T employees plus seasonal staff. The Town is led by a six member town council elected on staggered terms and Mayor who is elected at large. The Town Manager serves as the chief administrative officer overseeing all aspects of the Town’s day-to-day operations. The successful candidate should be an effective communicator with citizens, staff and the Town Council. Candidates should possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in public administration, political science, business or related field supplemented by 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in local government administration. A college degree is preferred but not required. Applicants with relevant employment experience are encouraged to apply,” the notice read.
dan@route11news.com
