Town manager leaving for Orange

The Gordonsville Town Manager is leaving one town within Orange County for the other.

Late last week, it was announced that Gordonsville Town Manager Deborah “Debbie” Kendall had resigned from her position effective March 31. On Monday, Orange Town Manager Greg Woods announced she had been hired as Orange’s new director of community development and planning.

Kendall has served as the town manager of Gordonsville for the past decade, previously serving as town planner and town clerk for four years. When announcing her hire in Orange, Woods said she was chosen from among three candidates, two of whom were seeking more pay than the town could offer. He said Kendall comes with numerous certifications including those from the American Institute of Certified Planners and the Virginia Association of Zoning Officials. She’s also the current president of the Virginia Local Government Management Association Executive Board. Prior to her employment in Gordonsville, Kendall was employed in the Orange County Planning Department for more than 14 years. She has a bachelor of arts degree from Virginia Tech.

Kendall is expected to formally begin her employment with the Town of Orange in April. She fills the position left vacant by John Cooley who recently took the position of Culpeper County Planning Director.