Doug Walker, Practitioner-in-Residence, joined the Virginia Institute of Government in 2023 after a long and distinguished career in local government.  Spanning years of service to five Virginia localities and the local government management profession, Doug worked as the Deputy County Executive in Albemarle County, County Administrator in Shenandoah County, City Manager in Waynesboro, Deputy County Administrator in Spotsylvania County and Assistant to the County Administrator in Southampton County. Doug started his career as a part-time research assistant for the Virginia Municipal League.

Doug’s extensive practical experience and demonstrated expertise as an effective manager and inspiring leader is fully evident in the depth and breadth of knowledge of all functional areas of local government service delivery and organizational performance.  Particular strengths include organizational development with an emphasis on strategic alignment; personnel recruitment and hiring; individual coaching, team facilitation and employee performance management; connecting the work of staff and elected governing bodies within the framework of the council-manager form.

Doug holds a BA from Appalachian State University and a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University.  He is a past president of the Virginia Local Government Management Association and 35-year member of the International City/County Management Association.