Alexandra's ex-mayor, Justin Wilson, appointed as the new head of NOVA Parks organization
Former Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson Named New Executive Director of NOVA Parks
Justin Wilson, a fellow of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia, has been appointed as the next executive director of NOVA Parks. Wilson brings over 25 years of experience in enterprise business services to his new role.
Wilson has served in various advancing roles at Amtrak for the past 19 years, currently leading 75 employees as senior director for business services. Prior to his tenure at Amtrak, Wilson chaired the Alexandria Transit Company Board of Directors and served two terms as president of the Del Ray Citizens Association.
As Alexandria's mayor, Wilson oversaw a more than $900 million operating budget and a $2 billion 10-year capital improvement program. He also represented Alexandria on the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Board of Directors.
Wilson's experience in leadership and finance will be valuable in his new role at NOVA Parks, an organisation with a combined operating budget of about $40 million. Unlike traditional park systems, NOVA Parks operates more like a private company with a public mission, generating about 90% of its revenue from enterprises such as waterparks, golf courses, historic sites, and other recreational facilities throughout Northern Virginia.
Paul Gilbert, who led NOVA Parks for 20 years, announced his retirement in April. During Gilbert's tenure, NOVA Parks expanded significantly, adding 15 new parks and acquiring over 1,800 acres of parkland. Wilson, who was a member of NOVA Parks' Board of Directors before becoming its executive director, will aim to build upon this growth.
The executive director position at NOVA Parks has a salary range of $190,000 to $230,000 annually. Wilson holds a bachelor's degree in information systems from Virginia Commonwealth University and has been appointed to advisory roles on juvenile justice issues by Virginia's governor.
Wilson lives in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood with his wife Alex and their children Eli and Lena. He will officially take up his new role at NOVA Parks in the coming weeks.
NOVA Parks manages 37 parks across more than 12,500 acres in Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, and the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax. Wilson's leadership is expected to further enhance the organisation's mission to provide high-quality outdoor recreational opportunities for the residents of Northern Virginia.
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