2017 has brought many changes for people across the nation and the Commonwealth. Such change is being seen in the City of Lynchburg, as the City is beginning to implement a new stormwater management program that helps keep the surrounding watersheds and ecosystems in Lynchburg clean, as well as save the City money overall.

The Virginia Chapter of Women in Public Finance presents its Lifetime Achievement Award once annually to a woman who has made a mark on Virginia public finance. Nominees must be "involved in the public finance field for more than 10 years and...consistently demonstrate skill, drive, integrity and vision." VRA is pleased to report that Executive Director Stephanie Hamlett is the most recent recipient of this honor which was presented to her on May 10.

Mary Bunting was appointed to the VRA Board by Governor McAuliffe in September 2016. Bunting serves as the City Manager of the City of Hampton, and brings her understanding of the needs of the Hampton Roads area to bear on her work with VRA, including her participation in the Audit and Budget Committees for VRA. A Hampton native, Bunting has worked for the city since 1989. Her work on civic budget management has garnered many national awards, including the 2012 ICMA Strategic Leadership & Governance Program Excellence Award, and recognition by President Obama in 2012 as a Local Innovation leader as part of the White House's Champion of Change Program.

On May 2nd, 40 local government elected officials and staff from Southside Virginia gathered for a workshop focused upon public finance opportunities. The event, organized by VRA, was located at the New College Institute in Martinsville.

On February 7th, the Chairman of the VRA Board of Directors, Bill O'Brien, passed away at the age of 73. Mr. O'Brien had a distinguished career in public service. He was known for his kind, thoughtful, and diligent demeanor and his commitment to the Commonwealth.

Presentations from the 2016 Conference are now available.

Mary B. Bunting, City Manager of Hampton, Reginald E. Gordon, Director of Office of Community Wealth Building, City of Richmond, and Cecil "Rhu" Harris Jr., County Administrator of Hanover County

Manju Ganeriwala serves on the VRA board as the State Treasurer first appointed by Governor Kaine in January 2009, and reappointed by both Governor McDonnell in 2010, and Governor McAuliffe in 2014. Ganeriwala chairs VRA's Audit Committee and also serves on the Budget and Portfolio Risk Management Committees. As Treasurer, she oversees the investment of over $10 billion in public funds; management of over $15 billion in debt; issuance of bonds; provision of banking services; and administration of the state's insurance and unclaimed property programs. Ganeriwala also serves as the Chair of the Virginia Treasury Board and is a member of other boards including the Virginia Port Authority and Virginia Housing Development Authority.

We are pleased to welcome Catherine O'Brien to Virginia Resources Authority (VRA) who joined in March 2016 as Accounting Manager. Catherine is responsible for planning, organizing and directing the accounting activities of the VRA. She also manages the Agency Risk Management and Internal Control Standards (ARMICS) assessment for the Authority and ensures adequate controls are implemented.

The Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission (MPPDC) knew that local residents were facing grave problems with repairing failing septic systems. The Commission turned to the Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund (CWRLF) for a solution to this pressing problem. The MPPDC secured a $200,000 loan from the CWRLF to support the Regional On-site Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Funding Program. This Program was established in 1997 to improve water quality and address public health concerns in the York, Rappahannock and Lower Small Coastal Watersheds. This Program also supports the Commonwealth's Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan.