News Room

News Release

	Contact:
July 1, 2009	Mark S. Cox, APR Director of Public Communications 382-6241 (WK)
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For immediate release	Blair A. Barbieri Public Communications Coordinator 382-6241 (WK)

CITY MANAGER APPOINTS DEVELOPMENT AND PERMITS DIRECTOR

CHESAPEAKE– City Manager William Harrell has announced the appointment of Jay Tate, P.E., as the first Director of the Chesapeake Department of Development and Permits, effective today. Tate has served as the Interim Director since February, following the reorganization of the Department of Neighborhood Services.

A formal announcement of this appointment will be made by Harrell at the July 10 Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting. That meeting is being held at Gold’s Gym, 4628 Portsmouth Blvd., in Western Branch at 8:00 a.m. In addition to the business community, Mayor Alan Krasnoff and other members of the City Council are anticipated to attend.

“Jay has excelled in the Interim capacity and clearly possesses the technical skills and creativity needed to effectively lead this department,” said Harrell.

Tate will oversee a variety of development and land use services, manage the department's budget and supervise the administration of each division in the department. The department employs more than 80 employees in four divisions and has an annual operating budget of $6.4 million. Tate’s salary will be $119,000 per year.

Before his appointment to Interim Director, Tate served as the Development Manager for the Department of Public Works since September 2008. He was instrumental in the initiative to streamline the development review process, which led to the reorganization.

Under Tate’s guidance, the newly configured department implemented several significant changes, including planning meetings for all new projects. City reviewers work face-to-face with applicants to resolve any project issues after the first review. The City also implemented new processes for utility acceptance, construction record drawings and tenant build out permits. These new processes reduced time to secure approval while making the City function more efficiently.

Tate worked in the Public Works Department since 1986, previously serving as Assistant City Engineer, Construction Manager and Civil Engineer. Prior to joining Chesapeake, Tate was an Engineering Technician for the Norfolk Naval Station Public Works.

He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering Technology from Old Dominion University in 1985.  He is a registered professional engineer in Virginia.

For more information, contact the Public Communications Department at 382-6241.

• Photo of new Development and Permits Director Jay Tate