Mr. Popular: Prince William’s new planning director also got job in Charlottesville

He thought about taking a job with the Charlottesville City Government but decided to come to Prince William County, instead.

Parag Agrawal has replaced Rebecca Horner as the county’s Planning Director. For years, Horner served as the county government’s front line person for the ongoing Rural Crescent debate and was promoted to Deputy County Executive in January.

While a Prince William County press release notes Agrawal’s last job to be in suburban Atlanta (Milton, Ga., to be exact, a community about 40 miles outside Atlanta with a population about the size of Manassas), Agrawal actually accepted a job in Charlottesville before he abruptly gave his notice to the city.

“He accepted the job, and we held a press conference,” said Charlottesville spokesman Brian Wheeler.

The press conference held on November 4 heralded Agrawal as the new director of Charlottesville’s planning office. He was to begin work in the city on November 30, and notified Charlottesville officials earlier this week that he had accepted the job in Prince William County, said Wheeler.

“We understand from Mr. Agrawal, that Mr. Agrawal had considered joining the City of Charlottesville team; however, he had not started employment with Charlottesville and has declined that opportunity in order to join Prince William County,” said Rebecca Horner, at Prince William County.

Here’s the rest of Prince William County’s press release.

Before joining the Atlanta area three years ago, he was the Associate Director of the Division of Statewide Planning and the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the state of Rhode Island, which has a population of 1.06 million people, for the three years prior. Preceding Rhode Island, he was the Planning and Economic Development Director for the City of Bridgeport, CT. In total, Mr. Agrawal has more than 18 years of experience in the field of planning and development.

“Mr. Agrawal brings a wealth of experience to this position, and we look forward to innovative programs to benefit Prince William County,” said Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chair-At-Large Ann Wheeler.

Mr. Agrawal administered Georgia’s largest Transfer of Development Rights program and the recently adopted Greenspace Bond program, both intended to help conserve and preserve land. He also recently completed metropolitan Atlanta’s tree preservation ordinance, and worked with the various private stakeholders to facilitate the development of the city’s new downtown that would enhance the culture and heritage of the community.

Mr. Agrawal has a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Aligarh University in India and a Master of City and Regional Planning from Ohio State University. He is a certified planner with the American Planning Association.

“I am excited to join the team to help move the County forward in its goals. I appreciate the opportunity to serve the citizens of Prince William County. I look forward to working with various community stakeholders to make Prince William County as the most livable community in the country,” said Mr. Agrawal.

Mr. Agrawal was selected as the top-ranked candidate after a national recruitment process. The County received 34 applications from 15 states. Candidates went through an extensive vetting process as part of a contract with a recruiter, The Novak Consulting Group. Mr. Agrawal distinguished himself throughout the recruitment process. He believes strongly in community engagement, building positive relationships and collaboration. He is looking forward to bringing his experience in revitalization, redevelopment and land conservation to Prince William County.