Rob is a creative and innovative leader.
His
willingness to try new approaches to meet the needs
of the communities he serves is extraordinary. His vision and passion are infectious.
willingness to try new approaches to meet the needs
of the communities he serves is extraordinary. His vision and passion are infectious.
- Bob O’Neill
ICMA Executive Director
I believe that I am primarily responsible
for Rob Stalzer having risen to the pinnacle of the local
government profession since I passed on
the opportunity to hire him twice during my career. This allowed him to move more rapidly up the career ladder and confirmed my reputation as a poor judge of local government talent.
the opportunity to hire him twice during my career. This allowed him to move more rapidly up the career ladder and confirmed my reputation as a poor judge of local government talent.
The ride along program he participates in
with the
Fairfax County employees who haul trash to the solid waste transfer station epitomizes Rob’s secret to success. Rob believes in connecting with
his employees on their turf. His realization that no matter how important our title, we are all part of nature’s recycling program.
Fairfax County employees who haul trash to the solid waste transfer station epitomizes Rob’s secret to success. Rob believes in connecting with
his employees on their turf. His realization that no matter how important our title, we are all part of nature’s recycling program.
- Bob Stripling
Staunton City Manager
to understand people and organizations,
and you need to understand planning. You need to have
vision to be able to think ahead. I think planners do
well in municipal management.”
He said his transition from planner to
manager was not overnight, like some others in the field.
He described his experience working in Roanoke County.
“One of the problems that I worked on in Roanoke
County dealt with things that were very nontraditional from the
perspective of what most planning directors do. We were
involved in a very large community development project
involving Roanoke and Botetourt County. We rehabbed 80
homes. We installed water and sewer lines. We
reconstructed roads. We built a park. We improved
the quality of life for a low income community of about 270
people. I used to say as a planner I was probably in the
bottom 20 percent of knowing and applying theory, and in the
top ten percent of getting results. I think when you are
a manager you are that much closer to where the rubber meets
the road
Rob is an exceptional individual.
His intellect and keen insight about the profession and
about life in general make him a natural mentor. At VLGMA
and ICMA events, I make a point to seek him out for advice and
counsel.
-Douglas C. Walker
Waynesboro City Manager
Past VLGMA President
