The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors has announced the appointment of Thomas C. Gates as County Administrator.
“This is a significant day for Roanoke County,” stated Chairman Joe McNamara. “I am pleased that my fellow supervisors and I can share that we have selected a new administrator, one who is passionate about public service and has the forward-thinking abilities to guide Roanoke County into the future.”
Gates currently serves as Deputy City Manager and Chief of Staff for the City of Alexandria.
“I am honored to serve the residents of Roanoke County as their administrator,” said Gates. “I’ve spent nearly thirty years focused on working collaboratively with elected officials, citizens and employees to improve the functioning of government and delivering quality service to citizens. I believe there is much that we can accomplish when we work together for a common goal.”
Gates began his service with the City of Alexandria in February 2009, as Assistant City Manager for Management Improvement. His responsibilities include organizational strategic planning, assessing and improving operational efficiency, and improving operational performance and accountability.
In 2012, Gates was designated Deputy City Manager and given additional responsibility for the timely and effective implementation of key organizational initiatives including development of a city-wide ethics initiative, establishing effective civic engagement practices, and instituting a comprehensive performance management system. Gates had direct oversight of the human resources, budgeting, internal audit and performance management operations of the City.
Prior to joining the City, Gates served as the Assistant County Administrator for Spartanburg County, South Carolina where he provided management oversight and coordination of administrative operations and public safety services.
Gates has served as the Management and Budget Director for both Spartanburg County, and the City of Greenville, South Carolina.
He has twice been appointed to City Administrator positions serving the municipalities of Loris, South Carolina and Garden City, Georgia. His nearly 30-year public service career began with Montgomery County, Maryland in 1985.
Gates holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, jointly awarded by the University of South Carolina and Clemson University. He has served as adjunct faculty for the University of South Carolina Upstate where he taught public administration and public financial administration.
Gates is formerly the Board Chair for the Spartanburg County Community Indicators Project and served on the board of the Urban League of the Upstate. He has served as the Alexandria City Manager’s appointment to the Torpedo Factory Art Center, the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association and the Alexandria Small Business Development Center. Gates currently serves on the Board of the American Society of Public Administration’s Center for Accountability Performance.
Gates is an International City/County Manager’s Association Credentialed Manager. He currently resides in Alexandria with his wife Laura and twin sons Brady and Owen.
Gates follows Clay Goodman who served five years as county administrator until retiring July 31. He will assume his new position December 29, 2014.
