Danville City Manager Ken Larking announced two new additions to the government leadership team on Thursday amid growth in the region, most notably with a new casino resort.
Larking selected Michael Adkins and Briana Evans for the newly created positions of assistant city managers.
Adkins, who is currently the city’s chief financial officer, will keep that role while he also oversees the finance, information technology and human resources departments and the budget office.
His new jobs will start Nov. 1, the city reported.
Evans currently works in Redwood City, California, as the city’s equity and inclusion officer. She was named to that newly created position in December 2020.
“The pace of growth has enabled us to take on several important projects that will further accelerate our resurgence,” Larking said in a statement. “As we continue to grow, it’s important to be intentional about managing growth in a way that ensures every resident has an opportunity to participate in the prosperity we’ve worked so hard to create.”
A statement from the city announcing the appointments acknowledged Caesars Virginia’s resort as one of the “major drivers” of the growth in Danville. The $700 million project fully opened in December after operating a temporary version in a giant tent-like structure starting in May 2023.
The casino is expected to pump about $35 million into the city’s coffers during the current fiscal year. The money comes not only from gaming tax revenue, based on a state formula. Through a development agreement, the city gets additional direct payments from Caesars, as well.
Larking said the casino revenue needs to be used for one-time expenses.
“We want to use this opportunity to help create and encourage new investments that will produce long-term sustainability, stabilizing the revenue streams necessary to continue core city services at levels our residents are accustomed to receiving.”
A seven-page packet advertising the job states the expected hiring salary will be between $180,000 and $225,000. The range tops out at $256,397.
That job packet did not specify that there would be dual assistant manager roles.
“Reporting to the City Manager, the Assistant City Manager will assist the City Manager with day-to-day operations and departmental oversight, serving as Acting City Manager in the absence of the City Manager and Deputy City Manager,” the document advertising the job states.
Earl Reynolds serves in the deputy position.
Adkins and Evans were picked from a nationwide search.
As a Danville native, Adkins started working for the city in 2005 as the assistant finance director. In 2015, he was promoted to the job of chief financial officer.
He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Virginia Tech and a master’s degree in business administration from Averett University.
“It is an honor to accept this opportunity for continued service to my hometown,” Adkins said in the statement. “I look forward to working alongside our City’s dedicated team and community leaders, and pledge to give my best as we build upon recent success, overcome our challenges, and strive to ensure a vibrant future for all who call Danville home.”
Evans, who will start Dec. 1, will oversee the community development department, the office of economic development and tourism, and the social services department, the city reported.
Evans has previously worked as an equity design strategist with a consulting firm. For the past decade, she’s worked in city and county governments.
She has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in anthropology from Stanford University.
“Danville has laid out a bold vision for the future in PLAN Danville,” Evans said in a statement, referencing a platform used to engage residents. “I am looking forward to working with residents and colleagues to bring that vision into reality in the months and years to come.”