A fond farewell

Friday marks my final day as Fredericksburg’s director of economic development and tourism.

I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life, but I will miss many aspects of working for the City of Fredericksburg, where I have spent the last 10 years. It has been my great honor to work alongside such a talented and dedicated group of civil servants.

Before I sail off into the sunset, I wanted to take a minute to thank some of the people who have helped me in the past decade, and reflect some on the City of Fredericksburg.

During my time with the City of Fredericksburg (2014-2024), there has been close to a billion dollars’ worth of construction activity in the City. Among the activity of which I am most proud:

• A $40 million, privately funded multi-purpose stadium that has become the community jewel we all envisioned during the long negotiations that brought the Fredericksburg Nationals here. Having played a role in this project alongside the Silber family, City Manager Tim Baroody, then City Attorney Kathleen Dooley and others is my proudest achievement while working for the City. More recently, the renovation of the Fredericksburg Convention Center next door has made this into an even-more vibrant campus.
• The transformation of the former Free Lance-Star property downtown into the vibrant mixed-use center that we see today. Kudos to the Vakos and Wack families for putting their time, treasures and talents into these projects. I can’t wait to see The Publisher Hotel open this summer.
• The sale of the current Visitor Center building, and the relocation of both the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (already moved) and the Visitor Center (will move this Fall) to 601 Caroline Street. My friend and colleague M.C. Morris will help shepherd the final details of the Visitor Center move in the coming months. I look forward to the grand opening!
• The continued improvements in and around our wonderful downtown, and the success of the local Main Street organization to increase the momentum.
• The gifting of Mary Washington Lodge & Monument to Washington Heritage Museums, which has been transformed by the acquisition and is a wonderful steward of the property.
• The opening of Riverfront Park and the federal grant that brought the restrooms there and that will lead to a portable stage.
• The success of our department’s business-communication strategy, including our “Freehling Finds” video series and our Fred Focus weekly newsletter. Special shout-outs to my colleagues Jim Gaston and Amy Peregoy for their work on these projects.

Along the way I have worked with some wonderful people. My predecessor, Karen Hedelt, brought me to the City, and I appreciate the confidence of then City Manager Bev Cameron to bless my hiring. Current City Manager Tim Baroody gave me the chance eight years ago to serve as director of economic development and tourism. I hope I have convinced him he made a good choice. My department is full of terrific people, and I wish to name them all: Amy Peregoy, Danelle Rose, M.C. Morris, Victoria Matthews, Jim Gaston, Barbara Doniel, Natalie Ealy, Haley Backlund and all of our great Travel Counselors. The City of Fredericksburg is a wonderful place to work, and my successor has a terrific opportunity in front of him or her.

None of us in local government would succeed in our jobs without our private-sector partners. Among those I worked with most closely during my time with the City were Art Silber, Seth Silber, Lani Weiss, Larry Silver, Marlene Camp, Heidi Bass, Anne Darron, Scott Harris, Christine Kovacs, Mike Adams, Jud Honaker, Jervis Hairston, Sean Haynes, Chris Hornung, Bill Vakos (Jr. and Sr.), Collin Vakos, Tom and Cathy Wack, James and Jay Jarrell, Tommy and Hunter Mitchell, Dr. Mike McDermott, Summer Hughes, April Peterson, Dr. Janet Gullickson, Dr. Troy Paino, the Janney family, many dedicated commercial real estate brokers, and a host of terrific members of both City Council and the Economic Development Authority. I am sure I have left some people out, and I apologize for that.

I firmly believe that Fredericksburg’s future could not be brighter. Smack dab in the middle of Washington and Richmond, with a wonderful history and sense of place, people have been drawn to Fredericksburg for hundreds of years and will keep coming. While I am leaving my job with the City, I am not leaving Fredericksburg, and I can’t wait to see the continued progress here. With that, I will say farewell and hope to see you soon around the ‘Burg.