ALEXANDRIA, VA – In a City Council Legislative Meeting on Tuesday evening, Alexandria City Manager Mark Jinks announced his plan to retire by the end of 2021.
“I want to thank the current and former Mayors and Members of City Council. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the Alexandria community in addressing its challenges and creating a better community for all Alexandria residents and businesses. However, I will be 70 in 2022 and it is time to have fresh eyes on the City government organization to help it continue to achieve and improve. A new City Council will be seated in January that will be developing a new long-range strategic plan in 2022, so this is a good time for a transition,” said City Manager Mark Jinks.
“I intend to use what I have learned in my 45-year state and local government career to teach, write, consult and mentor the next generation of public administrators. In addition, I will now have time to address personal and travel interests that have been on the back burner for too long.”
Mayor Justin Wilson said, “I want to thank Mark for his many years of service to the City. His leadership and management of the City government organization have been exemplary, and his financial acumen and creativity in problem solving are unmatched. The results of his work have had – and will continue to have – enormous positive impacts for the City, its residents and businesses for generations. We wish Mark and his wife, Eileen, the best.”
In a press release sent out by the City Tuesday night, the City stated that Jinks has served the City since 1999, when he was hired as Chief Financial Officer. He was appointed City Manager by City Council in 2015. As City Manager, Jinks has played a significant role in the City of Alexandria’s major accomplishments, including:
- Management of the City during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Potomac Yard Metrorail station planning and funding
- Landmark/Inova Hospital redevelopment plans
- Creation and preservation of affordable housing
- Waterfront land acquisition and development
- National Science Foundation relocation to Alexandria
- Major expansion of City and School capital investments
- Improved customer service and interdepartmental collaboration
- Upgrade of the City’s information technology systems and capabilities
- Hiring 21st Century Policing leadership
- Improvement in the diversity of City senior leadership positions
- Hiring the City’s first Race and Social Equity Officer
- Improvement of organizational effectiveness, project management and accountability
- Strong financial management and retention of City’s AAA/Aaa bond ratings
- Increased influence of Alexandria in regional decision-making
As the City Manager reports directly to City Council, the process for choosing a successor will be coordinated and carried out by City Council.
Regarding the process, Mayor Wilson stated “City Council plans to use an executive search firm to conduct a nationwide search to identify the best candidates for this position and execute a process that will include civic engagement and community outreach. This process and timeline will be defined and announced in the next several weeks.”
