Virginia Municipal League staff
R. Michael Amyx, Executive Director - (804) 523-8521. Mike became VML's executive director in 1980 and is the fourth person to hold the position. He has 34 years of local government experience, including serving as a city manager, an assistant city manager and a senior staff member with a state municipal league (Kansas). In addition, he was executive director of the Kentucky Municipal League for five years prior to coming to Virginia. He holds a master's in public administration, as well as a law degree from the University of Kansas. He has served on the National League of Cities Board of Directors and is a past chair of the state league executive directors' organization.
P. Steven Craig, Director of Insurance and Joint Purchasing Programs - (804) 237-7310. Steve joined the league in 1991. He formerly was employed by Alexander & Alexander and was an underwriter for VML Insurance Programs. His responsibilities include management of VML Insurance Programs, which consists of the Virginia Municipal Group Self Insurance Association and the Virginia Municipal Liability Pool, and human resources. As director of joint purchasing programs, Steve serves as secretary-treasurer for the Virginia Energy Governmental Purchasing Asssociation, staff liaison for the VML/VACo American Electric Power Steering Committee and the Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative Customer Group; administrator for the New River Valley Benefits Consortium; and staff liaison for the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance. He holds a bachelor's degree in business from James Madison University.
Jeffrey Nickey, Director of Finance - (804) 237-7314. Jeff joined the staff in 1993 as an accountant for VML Insurance Programs. He was named director of finance in 2002. Jeff has more than 15 years of experience in accounting, including working as a senior accountant with U.S.F. & G. Insurance Companies. His responsibilities include development of VML's annual budget and overseeing annual audits of the league and VML Insurance Programs. In addition, Jeff is responsible for the insurance program's financial reporting, cash and investment portfolio management, budget and dividend schedule preparation. He supervises the work of an accounting assistant. Jeff holds a degree in Economics from the University of Maryland - Baltimore County and is a Certified Public Accountant.
VML Insurance Programs complete staff listing
Paulette G. Alexander, Accounting Assistant II -(804) 523-8520. Paulette came to the league as a CETA worker in 1978. She was promoted to bookkeeper in 1979 and is responsible for the financial records of the league and its affiliates. She handles all billings and receipts for the league, affiliate groups and Virginia Town & City. A graduate of Lee Davis High School in Mechanicsville, Paulette has lived in Richmond since 1970.
Janet Areson, Director of Policy Development - (804) 523-8522. Janet lobbies on the state budget and on human service issues. She also follows many federal issues. Janet joined the league in 1990 with a background that included six years of experience at the National League of Cities in Washington and two years with the Virginia Association of Counties. She also has worked for the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget. Janet holds a bachelor's degree in government from the College of William and Mary and a master's degree in public administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is a past president of the Virginia Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA).
Sherall Dementi, Executive Assistant - (804) 523-8533.
Howard W. Dobbins, General Counsel - Dobbins is the senior partner and a director of the Richmond law firm, Williams, Mullen, Clark & Dobbins. He has served as general counsel to the Virginia Municipal League for many years and has represented the league before committees in the General Assembly, as well as in numerous lawsuits in which the league was interested. Dobbins is a participant in the organized bar and has served on numerous committees of the Richmond, Virginia, and American Bar Associations and the Virginia State Bar. A past president of the Virginia State Bar, he was formerly a member of the bar's Executive Committee and chairman of its Business Law Section. He is now a member of the bar's Senior Lawyers Section. In addition, Dobbins is a former member of the House of Delegates of the American Bar Association and has been elected as a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the American Bar Foundation and the Virginia Bar Foundation. Dobbins received his Bachelor of Arts and law degrees from Washington & Lee University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa and Order of the Coif. He served as president of the student body and as co-editor-in-chief of the Washington & Lee Law Review.
Mary Jo Fields, Director of Research - (804) 523-8524. Mary Jo came to the league in 1984 following eight years as a research analyst at the University of Virginia's Institute of Government. Prior to that time, Mary Jo was a research associate at the University of Alabama. She holds a master's degree in public administration from the University of Alabama and a bachelor's degree in political science from Auburn University. At the league, Mary Jo follows education, education finance and retirement issues. She also serves as executive director of the Virginia Building and Code Officials Association, a VML affiliate member.
Mark Flynn, Director Legal Services - (804) 523-8525. Mark joined the league 1998. A native of Loudoun County, Flynn is a graduate of Virginia Tech and Washington & Lee University Law School. He has served as county attorney in Tazewell and as city attorney for Winchester for 11 years. He worked in private practice with the Richmond law firm of Sands, Anderson in 1997, specializing in local government and transportation law. Flynn is a past president of the Local Government Attorney's Association, an organization in which he has been active during his career. Before joining the league staff, Mark's VML participation included service on the Legislative Committee, author of an article on ethics for elected officials that appeared in Virginia Town & City magazine and service on several VML task forces.
Patrick L. Ford, Press Operator/Clerk - (804) 523-8526. Patrick joined the league staff in 1991 after serving for 8 1/2 years in the Army. Most recently, he was a map maker stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., where he received his printing experience. A native of Detroit, he is responsible for preparing and sending all VML mailings and all of VML's in-house printing jobs and projects.
Neal Menkes, Director of Fiscal Policy - (804) 523-8523. Neal, a longtime state finance expert, joined VML as director of fiscal policy in 2007. He worked for the past 14 years as a legislative fiscal analyst for the Senate Finance Committee where he was responsible for issues related to transportation, economic development and natural resources. At VML, he researches and analyzes issues related to state finance, including tax matters. During General Assembly sessions, he follows the actions of the House Appropriations, House Finance and Senate Finance committees. Before his time with the Senate Finance Committee, Neal worked for the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget for 14 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Emory University in Atlanta and a master’s degree in public administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University.
David Parsons, Director of Communications - (804) 523-8527. David joined the VML staff in 1994. He served as director of public information in the Office of the Attorney General from 1992 until January 1994. In that position he was official spokesman for the office and worked closely with senior attorneys to communicate positions on legal and public policy matters to news media. Prior to joining the Attorney General's office, David worked for 15 years as a reporter, editor and columnist at the Daily Press in Newport News. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1975 with a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications. As director of communications for VML, David supervises publication of the league's monthly magazine, Virginia Town & City, and bimonthly newsletter, Update. He is responsible for generating other communications initiatives.
Kimberly Pollard, Legislative Associate - (804) 523-8528. Kimberly began work for VML as an intern in 1994, assisting the legislative staff during the General Assembly session. Her duties now include compiling surveys, attending legislative meetings, including the Virginia Commission on Youth and the Virginia State Crime Commission. She also compiles the Product and Service Guide each year. She is in charge of exhibitors and sponsors at the VML annual conference. Kimberly received a bachelor's degree in government and politics from George Mason University in 1994 and her master's degree in public administration with a concentration in non-profits from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1999. She is a member of Pi Alpha Alpha, the public administration honor's society. She is also the executive secretary-treasurer for the Municipal Electric Power Association of Virginia, a VML affiliate
Joni S. Terry, Office Coordinator - (804) 523-8529. Joni joined the league staff in 1978 as a clerk typist. Promoted to administrative secretary in 1980 and to office coordinator in 1982, Joni serves as secretary to the executive director and oversees the day-to-day operations of the office. In addition, she helps manage the league's computer operations and the VML annual conference registration. Joni served as executive director for the Virginia Building and Code Officials Association for seven years.
Denise Thompson, Director of Marketing and Member Services - (804) 523-8530. Denise serves not only as VML's director of marketing and member services, she also lobbies on environmental policy issues. She is responsible for generating non-local government revenues through corporate involvement. Prior to joining VML, she worked as marketing manager for 10 years with Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., an international consulting firm that specializes in environmental engineering and planning. She has also worked as business development manager for Draper Aden Associates, a mid-Atlantic engineering and surveying firm. She was the city of Newport News' first management analyst and also its legislative liaison. She began her career as an environmental planner and has also worked for the State Water Control Board. She is a past president of the Hampton Roads Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration, and holds a bachelor's degree in environmental health from Old Dominion University and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Virginia.
Manuel Timbreza, Assistant Director of Communications - (804) 523-8531. Manuel joined the league in 1997. He formerly was the creative director of Gates Communications in Richmond, publishers of Campus Voice, a national publication for college students. He also has worked as a freelance graphics designer and illustrator. He holds a BFA degree in communication arts and design from Virginia Commonwealth University. Manuel is responsible for the design and production of most league publications, including Virginia Town & City magazine, Update newsletter and the VML web site. He also serves on the education and training committee for the Virginia Local Government Web Alliance.
