Politics & Government

City Finds Its Manager

Council, mayor appoint new city manger after nationwide search that started in July 2011 and resulted in 70 candidates from 23 states.

Manassas City has a new manager.

It was announced Monday in a city-issued press release that John A. Budesky, of Mechanicsville, Va., was chosen as the new city manager. He will begin work March 5, 2012. In the meantime,will continue to serve as the city's manager. 

Budesky was selected out of 70 candidates from 23 different states in a nationwide search that started back in July after former City Manager Larry Hughes announced his retirement.

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“We’re excited to welcome John to the City of Manassas," said Mayor Hal Parrish, who along with the city council made the appointment. "His thoughtful leadership and veteran expertise in government administration, along with his community involvement will be a great benefit to our city."

“I’m eager to be a part of the City of Manassas and look forward to interacting with its citizens and returning to management at the local level,” Budesky said.  “The City of Manassas team has established a wonderful foundation for the city, I look forward to helping the city move forward with its opportunities and development."

Find out what's happening in Manassaswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Budesky served as a local government administrator in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia for more than 16 years, according to the release.  Most recently, Budesky served as the executive director of the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission, an independently appointed state-wide commission with 266 full-time employees where he was responsible for initiating changes in the culture of the organization, developing operational efficiencies and managing a $50 million operational and $1 billion passive budget.

He worked as the county administrator for New Kent County in Virginia and as the assistant city administrator for the City of Hagerstown, Md. He also worked as the department head within the Washington County, Md. government and operated a private consulting company specializing in strategic planning, team building and community relations.

Budesky earned his bachelor of art degree in criminal justice from the University of Pennsylvania and holds a graduate certificate in public management from Shenandoah University, as well as a management certificate from the University of Maryland.

He  received his master’s degree in public administration from Virginia Tech University, and is a credentialed manager through the International City/County Management Association.

Budesky was recognized for his efforts to support future generations of government leaders by establishing a guide for Emerging Leaders in local government service and winning the prestigious Wallerstein Scholarship that is administered by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, the University of Virginia and the Virginia Municipal League. 

Budesky is a member of the Virginia Local Government Management Association, the International City/County Management Association, LEAD Virginia, Leadership Metro Richmond and has actively engaged in a number of school-based and community not-for-profit organizations, according to the release. 

Budesky, who hails from Pittsburgh, enjoys sports, classic cars, motorcycles and movies.

He is married to Markella Budesky, who specializes in early childhood development and works with the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation. They have two children, ages 7 and 4.  The Budesky family will be moving to Manassas, Va. in the near future, the release said.


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