Dumfries’ new town manager spent 12 years in Richmond City Government

DUMFRIES — The Dumfries Town Council voted to appoint a new town manager in their February 19 meeting.

The council voted 5-1 on the appointment of Keith C. Rogers, Jr. as the new town manager. It’s a job that pays $133,900, according to the town’s 2019 budget.

Mayor Derrick Wood has been serving as the town’s interim manager for the last 8 months.

Rogers will begin his term on February 26. He hails Rogers hails from Richmond, where he worked as the city’s senior policy advisor. He held other roles there, too, such as senior assistant to the CEO, and assistant city clerk.

During his 12 years in Richmond government, Rogers oversaw:

• U.S. Department of Transportation Ladders of Opportunity Bus Rapid Transit Study
• Richmond’s $25 million Community Partner Grant Program
• The expansion of Richmond’s residential recycling program

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Town of Dumfries and excited to become a part of positive change and the excitement that’s currently happening in the Town,” says Rogers, “I am looking forward to working with the Town Council, Staff, and the community to move us closer to our 2030 vision.”

Rogers holds a master’s degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Rogers is a member of the International City Managers Association and the Virginia Local Government Management Association. Rogers is also a past adjunct professor at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Political Science program at VCU.

“As a Council, we took our time to ensure Keith’s experience and values would help us to continue to develop the Town of Dumfries into a community where businesses want to locate, and families want to live, work, and play,” says Wood, “We believe that our community will become more involved, as Keith has demonstrated a commitment to engaging residents in municipal governing.”

Former town manager, Robbert Ritter, cleaned out his desk after an emergency council meeting last August.

Mayor Wood said the council needed someone that was more proactive and willing to work with them. Ritter had only completed a year and a half of his two-year contract.