Tim Hall, Class of 2009

Tim Hall

County Administrator, Henry County
Henry County, VA

What is new and exciting with you now or since your time with Lead Virginia?

At the time of my Class of 2009 experience I was the Deputy County Administrator in Henry County. Since then I’ve become the County Administrator here, and I lead all aspects of County business and day-to-day operations.

How has your experience with Lead Virginia helped prepare you for challenges like navigating the COVID-19 pandemic?

I learned so much from my Lead Virginia classmates about attacking the day yet remaining flexible. With COVID-19 and with recent flooding in our area, my daily to-do list (I still make one every night) sometimes never gets touched because of what happens after I get to work. As I write this, Henry County is operating under two states of emergency – one for COVID and one for the flooding. The ability to focus on each task as it arrives, and remain calm while doing so, is imperative.

How did Lead Virginia shape you as a leader?

Being around my classmates in the Class of 2009 was invigorating. The depth of knowledge and expertise across the board was something I’d never experienced up to that point.

Since Lead Virginia, how have you put your social capital to work?

I’ve improved at working with other jurisdictions and entities. Our regional neighbors share the same issues and opportunities that we have in Henry County, and I’m better equipped to reach out to them and ask for help. I’m better at climbing out of my bunker and interacting with other groups from across the Commonwealth.

What was your biggest takeaway or lesson learned from Lead Virginia that continues to resonate with you today?

Every section of the Commonwealth has its unique challenges, and every section of the Commonwealth matters. What affects us in southern Virginia affects every other sector, and vice versa. Finally, and maybe most importantly, there is GREAT food and drink available from Cumberland Gap to Virginia Beach, and from Henry County to Fairfax County!