Mayor-elect Danny Avula has enlisted dozens of local officials and experts as he prepares to take office next year. Key leaders will participate in an inauguration celebration scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 11, while others will advise his administration on the challenges ahead in 2025.

Congressmembers Tim Kaine and Jennifer McClellan, along with their spouses Anne Holton and Dave Mills, were announced in a press release Tuesday as co-chairs of Avula’s Inaugural committee, with more members to be named later. The committee will help organize the inauguration celebration, “A Day of Service: Moving Richmond Forward Together,” which will take place in each of the city’s nine districts, ending in an evening celebration.

“The trust these leaders have in me is humbling,” Avula said in a statement announcing the committee. “I’m super thankful for the example of leadership they’ve set in our region, and I’ve already learned so much from them. Honestly, having the opportunity to serve Richmond together with them is an absolute dream.”

The release came a week after a mix of leaders of local groups, community figures and current and former Richmond officials were announced as part of the transition team helping Avula prepare for the start of his term next year.

A total of 44 people were announced as part of the team on Nov. 20, with eight serving as its leadership. Team members have been tasked with planning responses to both specific and broad subjects and issues reflecting the concerns of residents, Avula’s campaign commitments and urgent city matters.

The team will create Action Plans over the next two months that can be used by Avula’s administration to take swift steps on improving the city, while complementing existing plans and policies.

Among the team roster is former Richmond Deputy Chief Administrative Officer and Richmond Memorial Health Foundation Co-Chair Reginald Gordon, state Delegate Betsy Carr, Richmond School Board Vice Chair Liz Doerr and former City Council Presidents William J. Pantele and Chris Hilbert.

“I am honored and excited to work with Mayor-Elect Avula to ensure he is ready to represent all Richmonders on day one of his new administration,” Carr said in a statement, “so we all have access to high-quality education, affordable housing, safe and clean communities, all overseen by a responsive and efficient City Hall.”

Several leaders and members of Richmond community groups also are working as part of the transition team, from advocacy groups to public and private sector businesses and local entrepreneurs.

“[I’m] just trying to help Danny really take off running on the arts and cultural objectives he put forward during his campaign,” said artist Hamilton Glass, who is working as part of the arts and culture-focused group in the team.

 Hamilton Glass
 

“You’ve got to work with the people who are doing work in the community, see what they’re doing and how you can align with some of those things, and see what troubles they’re actually having.”

A full listing of the transition team is available at Avula’s campaign website.