India’s Insights: September 2026
The Power of Presence: VLGMA, the Next Generation and Our Profession Needs You
To the 549 of you I am lucky enough to call members and colleagues:
This month, I'm asking for your presence.
We're a few months from ICMA's national conference, and a few months more from gathering again at our winter conference — and I find myself thinking about what holds this profession together: people like you. In just the last month, I've received two emails regarding our talent pipeline in finance and in water and wastewater operations — conversations thoughtfully led by our partners at Virginia Tech and supported by grant funding from the Virginia Department of Health Office of Drinking Water. Our communities differ in size, shape, and story, but we share the same daily promises: clean water delivered, sewer treated, an audit and budget produced every year. With seasoned professionals retiring, operator testing requirements changing, and financial systems shifting across the state, these challenges are real — and they belong to all of us.
So here is my ask, from my heart to yours. Three small acts of presence this month:
1. Go to your people. Share a meal with your finance team. Walk your plant and shake hands with your operators. Ask them what they're seeing and what worries them. Get their INSIGHT — then carry it with you into these two pipeline conversations. There is no substitute for the wisdom of the people doing the work, and no better messenger than you.
2. Take two minutes for our next generation. Please complete the student engagement and alumni mapping survey by September 14th. Your responses will help us plan campus visits, site visits, supper clubs, internships, and panel discussions — the small, human moments where a student first sees themselves in this profession. Once results are in, we'll share engagement opportunities across the state.
3. Step up to the plate. To those who have already raised your hands — thank you. Your willingness gives me such hope. If you haven't yet, consider this your warm and personal invitation; there is room for everyone in this work. I'm also delighted to share that we are close to welcoming our first VLGMA Social Media & Outreach Intern, who will support these efforts alongside our PDC and Communications committees.
We've worked hard this year to be more intentional about our pipeline. But an organization doesn't build the next generation — its people do. One lunch, one plant visit, one conversation at a time.
Thank you for all you give to your communities and to one another. It is the honor of my career to serve alongside you.
We convince by our presence. — Walt Whitman
Welcome to our new VLGMA Members:
Timothy Mack, Town Manager, Town of Buchanan
Dwayne Martin, Deputy County Administrator, County of Rockingham
Stacey McBride, Finance Director, County of King William
Dylan Nicely, Deputy Director of Community Development, Rockingham County
Paula Nofsinger, Deputy City Manager, City of Winchester
John Piper, City Manager, City of Winchester
Jason Smith, Deputy County Administrator & Senior Director of Community & Economic Development, County of King William