Town of Abingdon Hires Mayana Rice as Director of Community Development

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Town of Abingdon Hires Mayana Rice as Director of Community Development

The Town of Abingdon has hired Mayana Rice, AICP to serve as Director of Community Development, which oversees the Town’s planning and zoning activities and building inspections. Ms. Rice’s professional background includes working in Montana, Minnesota, Wyoming, and Florida over the past 20 years. She graduated with a Master’s Degree from the University of Florida in Urban and Regional Planning and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Soil and Water Science.  With a passion for careful planning and growth of communities, her roles have included private development work as a planner with civil engineering firms focused on planned unit developments and wind infrastructure, private investment in communities with the start of three small businesses, and public sector work as a regional, municipal and county planner. Collaboration has been the backbone of her experience as a regional planner for a five-county region in Florida, a planner for three communities in Wyoming, the Planning Director for a joint planning organization in Minnesota, and most recently as the Assistant Planning Director in Gallatin County, Montana. Ms. Rice’s favorite quote is, “Community development is not a job it’s a lifestyle.” She brings with her a husband and eight-year-old daughter. Their favorite family pastimes are fishing, camping, and hiking. Moving to Southwest Virginia, their family is looking forward to less winter and more time outdoors.

“We are excited to have Mayana leading our Community Development Department,” said Town Manager Jimmy Morani.  “Her diverse background in areas such as code development, public infrastructure, and environmental planning make her a valuable addition to our leadership team.”

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