Michael Bender Selected as Bath County Administrator; Starts October 17, 2022
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Warm Springs, VA (Sept. 23, 2022) - At a County Board meeting on September 13, the Bath County Board named Michael Bender County Administrator following a nationwide search that considered 40 candidates generated by the executive recruitment firm of Baker Tilly and interviewed by the County Board.
Mr. Bender has spent his entire career in public service, with almost twenty-eight years of experience in the Richmond, Virginia Police Department, most recently as a Division Commander.
Bender will become the County Administrator following the departure of Ashton Harrison earlier this year. Since then, Janet Bryan has served as interim County Administrator, in addition to her role as Executive Assistant/Deputy Clerk to the Board. “Ms. Bryan’s leadership has helped us provide uninterrupted service to our residents,” said Board Chair Roy Burns.
Regarding the newly appointed County Administrator, Burns said, “Mr. Bender has the leadership that the entire Board was seeking. He will bring a fresh perspective and willingness to learn and listen, while guiding the County in the years to come.”
Bender added, “My wife and I are looking forward to moving to Bath County and becoming part of the community. I am excited to join Bath County and work with the staff to advance the Board’s vision while providing guidance to employees serving our residents."
Bender holds a Master of Public Administration from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, and a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. In his quest for lifelong learning, he received a Certificate in Local Government Management from Virginia Tech and is currently completing training at the FEMA National Emergency Management Basic Academy.Â
Bender is a native of Chesterfield, Virginia. He and his wife, Kimberly, an educator, have two adult children. He enjoys running and numerous other outdoor activities. | | | | | |
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