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To consent to the Mayor’s appointment of Odie Donald II to the position of Chief Administrative Officer and to approve the compensation therefor
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WHEREAS, section 5.01.1 of the Charter of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, provides that the Mayor’s appointment of a Chief Administrative Officer is subject to the advice and consent of a majority of the members of the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to give its consent to the Mayor’s appointment of Odie Donald II to the position of Chief Administrative Officer effective July 9, 2025; and
WHEREAS, section 5.01.1 of the Charter of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, provides that the Mayor shall set the salary of the Chief Administrative Officer subject to the approval of a majority of the members of the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor has offered employment and Odie Donald II has accepted this offer pursuant to an employment contract, a copy of which is attached to this resolution; and
WHEREAS, Odie Donald II has also accepted the terms of employment set forth in the employment contract, a copy of which is attached to this resolution, which purports to set an annual salary for the Chief Administrative Officer of $365,000;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND:
That, as provided for in section 5.01.1 of the Charter of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, the Council hereby consents to the Mayor’s appointment of Odie Donald II to the position of Chief Administrative Officer for an indefinite term to begin July 9, 2025, and approves the compensation therefor.
City of Richmond
Intracity Correspondence
DATE: June 9, 2025 EDITION: 1
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
FROM: The Honorable Dr. Danny Avula, Mayor
RE: Designation of Chief Administrative Officer
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: A resolution for expedited consideration to consent to the Mayor’s designation of Odie Donald, II as Chief Administrative Officer.
BACKGROUND: Following a national search to fill the Chief Administrative Officer’s role, Odie Donald, II’s qualifications have proven to be assets to effectively move the City of Richmond, VA forward.
Mr. Donald brings nearly two decades of executive-level experience in municipal government, with a track record of leading high-impact local, state, and federally funded organizations and programs. A native of Atlanta, Donald has held key leadership roles across Georgia, most recently serving as Chief of Staff to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. In this role, he provides strategic guidance on legislative and policy issues, led major public-private partnerships resulting in more than $1.6 billion in investment, and oversaw a broad portfolio including External Affairs, Communications, Cultural Affairs, Sustainability, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and the newly created Department of Labor and Employment Services.
Previously, Donald served as City Administrator for both South Fulton and Augusta-Richmond County. In Augusta, he improved bond ratings, managed over $150 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and spearheaded major economic development and transparency initiatives including the city's largest special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) program and its first comprehensive blight ordinance. In South Fulton, as the city's first City Manager, he built the local government from the ground up, eliminating a $25 million deficit, doubling revenues, establishing the city's first positive fund balance, and delivering its inaugural strategic plan.
Donald is also a recognized civic leader, having served as President of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (Metro Atlanta Chapter) and on the Georgia Forward Board of Directors. A two-time Georgia State University graduate with a BA in History (2003) and a Masters in Business Administration (2012), he has been honored in Georgia Trend's 40 Under 40, Georgia State's 40 Under 40, and Who's Who in Black Atlanta. He is a recipient of the John F. Wall Award from the National Association of State Workforce Agencies.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: N/A
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: N/A
FISCAL IMPACT: Annual salary of $365,000 and annual deferred compensation of $13,500.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 9, 2025
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: June 9, 2025
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: June 9, 2025
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: None. Expedited consideration requested.
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Office of the Mayor, Chief Administrative Officer’s Office
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: None
ATTACHMENTS: Employment contract
STAFF: Lawson Wijesooriya, Chief of Staff to the Mayor