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CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VA — Rich Billingsley, assistant director of Chesterfield’s Community Enhancement Department since 2017, has been promoted to lead the department as its director.
Billingsley, a U.S. Navy veteran, has worked for the county in a variety of roles over the past 22-plus years. He has expertise in code enforcement and community revitalization, having served as head of the License Inspection Department from 2005-17 before its duties and others were merged under the newly created Community Enhancement Department.
“I’m humbled that our county leadership has entrusted me with this leadership role and I look forward to continuing to serve the residents of Chesterfield,” Billingsley said. “We have an exceptional team of dedicated, diligent professionals who care deeply about our community. It’s an honor to work alongside them.”
The Community Enhancement Department was established in 2017 with a mission to help keep Chesterfield a desirable place to live, learn, work and play. It supports neighborhoods with resources and services regarding revitalization, anti-litter initiatives, license inspection, code enforcement and administration of federally funded housing grant programs.
In his former role as assistant director, Billingsley managed the consolidation of staff from five different departments into a cohesive operational unit. He created a career development plan and training program for Community Enhancement, launched a proactive inspection program that incorporated code enforcement, volunteer management and neighborhood engagement, and supervised a program that installs streetlights in existing neighborhoods as a safety and security enhancement.
During his tenure as director of the License Inspection Department, Billingsley also implemented operational improvements in the enforcement of Chesterfield’s Code of Ordinances for business and vehicle licensing that increased local revenue by 200% over a 10-year period.
“Rich has worked on the front lines for more than two decades, building trust, credibility and positive working relationships with a variety of neighborhood, community and civic groups,” said Jesse Smith, deputy county administrator for community development. “He’s a creative thinker who can be counted on to find innovative solutions for complex challenges. We couldn’t be more excited to have him lead Community Enhancement going forward.”
A 1997 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Billingsley made multiple deployments to the Middle East as a qualified surface warfare officer, ultimately achieving the rank of lieutenant, before leaving the Navy and coming to work for Chesterfield as a deputy license inspector in 2003.
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Rich Billingsley headshot (photo credit: Chesterfield County)
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