The Virginian-Pilot
©
SUFFOLK
The city’s human resources director is leaving to take the same position in Newport News.
Yvonne Manning will resign on Aug. 11, the city announced Monday. She will begin as the Newport News human resources director on Aug. 15, Newport News City Manager Randy Hildebrandt said.
“I thought she would be a good mentor and could develop some of the people we have in-house,” Hildebrandt said.
The job was posted about six months ago and drew candidates for interviews from several locations, including some from out of state, he said.
Over the past 14 months several other high-level staff members have retired or left Suffolk for other jobs. They include the director of communications, an assistant city manager, the risk management coordinator, the intergovernmental affairs coordinator, the downtown development coordinator, a project manager in the assistant city manager’s office and then-City Manager Jim Vacalis.
Manning returned a call seeking comment about her departure but then directed all questions to the city spokesperson, Debbie George. Reached moments later, George said Manning preferred to have all questions go through her.
George then took a question about why Manning decided to leave and returned with a quote from Manning that the decision “was not an easy one, but I look forward to the opportunity to work for a larger municipality and move closer to my family in Richmond.”
In the city’s statement, Manning was quoted as saying she is leaving a department that has been “enhanced to a level of respectability, professionalism and appreciation by employees, City Management and outside clients.”
City Manager Selena Cuffee-Glenn said in the statement that Manning did “a tremendous job.”
“She will be missed by both the employees and administration of the City of Suffolk,” she said.
Manning has been human resources director in Suffolk since 2001. Her current salary is $117,621, George said. The Newport News position will pay $122,000, Hildebrandt said.
Manning’s announcement follows the unexpected resignation two weeks ago of the city’s economic development director, Tom O’Grady. He would not give a reason for his departure.
Dave Forster, (757) 222-5563, dave.forster@pilotonline.com
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Well, Well
Well, well another high ranking department manager is leaving Suffolk and running over to Newport News. It appears Ms. Rohlf is gathering her
staff for Newport News from the City of Suffolk. Ms. Manning most has seem the writing on the wall either be "Fired or Resign". Will Ms. Manning still live in her condo in Harbourview and commute to Newport News City Hall in her Jag? I bet she will! As for how great of a job she has performed for the City of Suffolk in the past years.
THE JURY IS STILL OUT!
Who is next???
Yvonne Manning, is the latest in a long list of “Senior Staff members” to leave their positions in our city. It is beginning to look just like the rats scurrying off the Titanic… Yvonne has been a strong Department Head, but clearly seems to know when it is a good time to move on. We are all in awe as we watch our city administration implode, under the vacuum of leadership from our Mayor and new Manager. As more senior people leave, we may become truly hobbled due to the dwindling level of experience held by those left, which will hinder their ability to perform properly… These events may lead to the utter stall of the municipal machine and a fiery crash, paid for by the citizens of Suffolk. We already have too many questionable decisions being made and more likely to come…
Our Mayor Linda Johnson, seems to be having a difficult time explaining why in her closed and secretive organization, so many department heads have departed since she was appointed our last Mayor, in 2006. As she attempts to pander for some level of support to extend her tenure as Mayor in the November elections, many are coming to understand that nice speeches are not a good substitute for real
Wow
She sure has a high opinion of the job that she did doesn't she.