CSPDC Executive Director Bonnie Riedesel elected to VAPDC Executive Board

Bonnie Riedesel, Executive Director of the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission, was elected as Second Vice President of the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions.

Riedesel has worked for the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission since 1994, and was appointed Executive Director in 2008.  Her work with the CSPDC includes community and economic development, affordable housing, agritourism, hazard mitigation, public transit and transportation and bicycle-pedestrian planning.  The CSPDC serves the counties of Augusta, Bath, Highland, Rockbridge and Rockingham, the cities of Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton and Waynesboro and the 11 towns within the region. The CSPDC provides high quality planning, technical assistance and facilitation services that address local, regional and state needs in an innovative, timely and cooperative manner.

Gordonsville Mayor Robert K. Coiner, representing Rappahannock Rapidan Regional Commission, was elected President, Tom Shepperd, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, was elected First Vice President. Also elected was Kevin Byrd as Secretary/Treasurer. Billy W. Martin, Sr., Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, will serve as Immediate Past President.

Planning District Commissions were established by the General Assembly in 1969. There are 21 PDCs and Regional Commissions in Virginia made up of elected officials and citizens appointed by local governments. 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 more information about VAPDC visit the website atwww.vapdc.org.