Interim finance DCAO in Richmond announced as acting officer returns to Henrico
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Mayor to unveil new CAO pick June 6 as interim leaders step in
Richmond officials have announced who will fill Sabrina Joy-Hogg’s roles. Mayor Danny Avula is set to introduce his choice for the city’s next permanent CAO on June 6. Deputy CAO for planning and economic development Sharon Ebert has been named acting CAO. Henrico County’s Deputy County Manager for Administration W. Brandon Hinton will serve as Richmond’s acting deputyCAO for finance and administration.
Mayor Danny Avula is set to introduce his choice for the city’s next permanent CAO on June 6, the same day Joy-Hogg departs as interim CAO and Deputy CAO for Finance and Administration. The selection follows a months-long national search.
Mayor Avula struck an optimistic tone in the announcement: “Richmond, get excited! I cannot wait for you to meet your new CAO. I promised to conduct a national search for a top-talent CAO, I’ve kept that promise, and I know this one is a home run.”
The announcement also revealed that Sharon Ebert, deputy CAO for planning and economic development, has been named acting CAO. Ebert joined Richmond’s City government in 2019 and brings decades of experience to the role.
She has been involved in major projects such as the Richmond300 master plan and the redevelopment of the Diamond District.
“Sharon has a whip-smart, encyclopedic knowledge of what makes cities work,” Avula said. “I’m so thankful she’s willing to step in for a short time before our new CAO officially starts.”
Henrico County’s Deputy County Manager for Administration W. Brandon Hinton will serve as Richmond’s acting deputy CAO for finance and administration. Hinton began his career in Henrico as a budget analyst in 2003 and has held a range of leadership roles over more than 20 years. He is expected to return to Henrico later this summer.
City Council is expected to vote on the new CAO’s appointment, as well as Ebert’s acting role, during its June 9 meeting.
As of now, it’s unclear when the new CAO will officially start or how long Ebert will remain in the interim position.
Henrico finance official on loan to Richmond returns to county
Henrico County’s Deputy Manager of Administration will return to the county. Brandon Hinton was loaned to Richmond in May to help with budgeting and finance. Richmond Director of Procurement Rene Almaraz will serve as interim DCAO for Finance and Administration.
The city announced on Friday, July 4 that Hinton, who has served on loan as Acting Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Finance and Administration since May 29, is returning to Henrico at the county’s request.
“I am so thankful for Brandon and for the time he spent in City Hall with me and my team,” Mayor Danny Avula stated. “It takes a special person to come into a completely unfamiliar work setting and dig in for the greater good. I appreciate his dedication and willingness to roll up his sleeves to move the work forward.”
Hinton’s move to Richmond was announced days after Richmond’s previous interim Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and DCAO of Finance and Administration Sabrina Joy-Hogg announced her resignation.
Richmond Director of Procurement Rene Almaraz will serve as interim DCAO for Finance and Administration until the permanent holder of the position is announced later this month.
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Avula to introduce new CAO on June 6
Mayor Dany Avula named Sharon Ebert, the city’s current deputy CAO for planning and economic development, as acting CAO. Avula said he intends to announce his CAO hire on June 6, the same day interim CAO Sabrina Joy-Hogg’s tenure ends. Brandon Hinton, Henrico County’s deputy county manager for administration, will serve as Richmond’s acting DCAO for finance and administration starting this week.
Avula named Sharon Ebert, the city’s current deputy CAO for planning and economic development, as acting CAO. But he said he intends to announce his CAO hire on June 6, the same day Joy-Hogg’s tenure ends.
“Richmond, get excited! I cannot wait for you to meet your new CAO! You’re going to love them, and we’re going to do great things together,” Avula said in Friday’s news release. “I promised to conduct a national search for a top-talent CAO, I’ve kept that promise, and I know this one is a home run.”
Joy-Hogg has been doing dual duty, serving as both interim CAO and doing her old job as deputy CAO for finance and administration.
A start date for the new CAO has not yet been announced.
To bring in extra help on the finance front, Avula is turning to one of Richmond’s neighbors.
Brandon Hinton, Henrico County’s deputy county manager for administration, will serve as Richmond’s acting DCAO for finance and administration starting this week. The city described Hinton as being “on loan” from Henrico, saying he will return to his county job later this summer.
Avula characterized the city’s need to borrow a Henrico official as a sign of regional cooperation and partnership with Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas.
“When I reached out to the county manager to see if he’d be open to loaning us Brandon for a couple of months, he had absolutely zero hesitation,” Avula said. His willingness to lend a hand and Brandon’s willingness to serve his neighbors in Richmond are a great example of what we can accomplish when we work together.”
Contact Reporter Graham Moomaw at gmoomaw@richmonder.org
Mayor Avula names acting chief administrative officer
Sharon Ebert is currently the deputy CAO (DCAO) for Planning & Economic Development. Henrico County’s W. Brandon Hinton will serve as the city’s acting DCAO for finance and administration. City Council will vote on Ebert’s confirmation at its June 9 meeting. Sabrina Joy-Hogg is currently Richmond’s interim CAO.
Ebert is currently the deputy CAO (DCAO) for Planning & Economic Development, which manages several city agencies including Housing & Community Development.
“She has over 40 years of professional experience in design, construction, urban planning, affordable housing, and economic development,” the city said in a news release.
City Council will vote on Ebert’s confirmation at its June 9 meeting.
The city also announced Friday Henrico County‘s W. Brandon Hinton will serve as the city’s acting DCAO for finance and administration.
Hinton is Henrico’s deputy county manager for administration.
He’ll return to the county later this summer.
Sabrina Joy-Hogg is currently Richmond’s interim CAO and DCAO of Finance & Administration and will do so until June 6.
Avula plans to introduce his permanent CAO appointee on June 6. That person will also be confirmed at City Council’s June 9 meeting.
”I cannot wait for you to meet your new CAO,” Avula said. “You’re going to love them, and we’re going to do great things together. I promised to conduct national search for a top-talent CAO, I’ve kept that promise, and I know this one is a home run.”
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Henrico loans Richmond a county official to help with money matters: ‘That’s simply what neighbors do’
Henrico County is loaning Deputy County Manager for Administration Brandon Hinton to Richmond. Hinton will help the city with budgeting and finance. Richmond’s current interim Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Sabrina Joy-Hogg announced her resignation, effective June 6. Richmond City Council would need to approve the mayor’s choice during a June 9 meeting. At that same meeting, Council will be asked to confirm Sharon Ebert as Richmond’s Acting Chief administrative Officer ( CAO) for Planning & Economic Development. The move comes days after Richmond’s interim CAO announced her retirement. The city will be looking for a new CAO to start in the new year, the mayor said. The position is currently vacant, the city said.
“When I reached out to the County Manager to see if he’d be open to loaning us Brandon for a couple of months, he had absolutely zero hesitation,” Richmond Mayor Danny Avula said in a Friday morning statement about the change. “His willingness to lend a hand and Brandon’s willingness to serve his neighbors in Richmond are a great example of what we can accomplish when we work together.”
WTVR Henrico County Deputy County Manager for Administration Brandon Hinton
Hinton started as an entry-level budget analyst for Henrico in 2003, was named Director of the Office of Management and Budget in 2012, and was promoted to his current role in 2018.
Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas told CBS 6 in his three decades-long career with the county, this is the first time he calls Henrico loaning an official to the city.
“A strong, vibrant Richmond means a strong, vibrant region for everyone. Henrico County is always willing to step up and collaborate with the city and other localities to strengthen our community,” Vithoulkas said. “That’s simply what neighbors do. With this temporary assignment, Brandon Hinton brings a wealth of municipal experience and expertise – plus a tireless work ethic and caring, generous heart – to Mayor Avula’s team. I have no doubt that the city, Brandon and our entire region will benefit from enhancing the many ways that we work together.”
The move comes days after Richmond’s current interim Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) of Finance and Administration Sabrina Joy-Hogg announced her resignation, effective June 6.
June 6 is also the day Avula said he plans to introduce Richmond to the person he wants to be the next CAO.
“I cannot wait for you to meet your new CAO! You’re going to love them, and we’re going to do great things together,” Avula said in the statement. “I promised to conduct a national search for a top-talent CAO, I’ve kept that promise, and I know this one is a home run.”
Richmond City Council would need to approve the mayor’s choice during a June 9 meeting.
At that same meeting, Council will be asked to confirm Sharon Ebert as Richmond’s Acting Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).
Ebert is currently the Deputy CAO (DCAO) for Planning & Economic Development.
“Sharon has a whip-smart, encyclopedic knowledge of what makes cities work,” Avula’s statement continued. “I’m so thankful she’s willing to step in for a short time before our new CAO officially starts. I know we’re in good hands.”
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