Handley
Named Interim BV City Manager
Buena Vista Police Chief Wayne Handley was tapped by City Council this past Thursday to become interim city manager.
Over the next several weeks, Handley will be working with City Manager Jason Tyree, who announced his resignation recently, to ensure a smooth transition. Handley, who was to retire as police chief June 30, began working in the city manager’s office with Tyree on Monday.
Assistant Police Chief David Clements was named interim police chief, starting his tenure Monday in what is a familiar role for him. Clements was interim police chief from August 2022, when then-Police Chief Keith Hartman stepped down, until July 2023, when Handley began work as police chief.
Handley came to Buena Vista from Norfolk, where he had worked for the sheriff’s department of that city. With more than 25 years of experience in law enforcement, Handley holds bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Old Dominion University. He completed his doctorate two years ago in mental health counselor education.
Clements has been with the Buena Vista police department for 16 years. A 2003 graduate of Rockbridge County High School, he holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from, respectively, Bridgewater College and Liberty University.
Tyree had earlier presented City Council with two options for naming an interim city manager. One was to name Handley, who had expressed interest in the temporary position, and the other was to contract with The Berkley Group, an organization that connects retired municipal administrators with localities in need of someone with experience to fill an administrative role temporarily.
It’s estimated that Tyree will remain city manager through mid-March. He has accepted a position as zoning administrator for Rockbridge County.
Council announced Handley’s appointment following a closed session on Thursday. Council also held a closed session to discuss filling a vacancy on Council that was created when Steve Webb resigned recently.
Five candidates have applied for the Council seat – Krista Carter, Jacob Zimmerman, Frank Huffman, Stanley Coffey and William Kerr.
Council is to make the appointment at its next meeting on Feb. 19. The person selected will serve until a special election is held in November. The winner of the election will fill the remaining one year of the Council tenure.
