Richmond
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The Virginia Association of Planning District 
Commissions (VAPDC) has selected David Blount to serve as the first Executive Director of the Association on a part-time basis by contracting with the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission for his services.
David has been with the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) for the past 19 years, serving in various capacities during that time. He works directly with the six TJPDC localities to implement the region's legislative services program, responsible for promoting local and regional positions and legislative/ budget initiatives with state lawmakers and other policymakers.
Most recently, he has been the principal staff for the agency's strategic planning, regional broadband efforts, and regional educational workshop series. He previously served as Acting Executive Director for the agency during 2013-14, overseeing agency budget and finances, government and grant-funded programs and a new grants administration program. Additionally, David has served as the Legislative Committee Chair for VAPDC for the past several years.
"We are very excited to welcome David as VAPDC's first Executive Director. With his experience and institutional knowledge, David is the perfect fit for us. I'm confident he will help us move the organization forward with his great leadership and planning abilities," said Robert K. Coiner, VAPDC President and Commissioner for the Rappahannock Rapidan Regional Commission.
David has been a consultant to both the Virginia Association of Counties and Virginia Municipal League, as well as a long-time policy associate for the Commonwealth Educational Policy Institute at Virginia Commonwealth University.
He is a graduate of James Madison University and was the 2015 recipient of the VAPDC Gordon N. Dixon Award for outstanding contributions to promoting the concept of regionalism.
"It has been a privilege for me to work in recent years with the VAPDC Board and Executive Directors, and I am excited for this opportunity to expand that working relationship to help move the organization forward in its partnerships with Virginia's 21 PDC's and with state agencies," said David.
Planning District Commissions were established by the General Assembly in 1969. There are 21 PDCs and regional Commissions in Virginia made up of elected official and citizens appointed by local government. The purpose of the Planning District Commissions is to encourage and facilitate regional solutions to problems of area-wide significance. This is done by promoting the efficient development of the physical, social, and economic policies of all districts by assisting local governments to plan for the future. The PDCs of Virginia have joined together to create the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions to share best practices, and further regionalism across the commonwealth. For information about VAPDC visit the website at www.vapdc.org.
