Buena Vista has hired a new city manager. Krystal M. Onaitis, most recently the deputy county administrator for Goochland County, was introduced at this past Thursday’s City Council meeting. She is to begin work Aug. 4.
A Richmond native, Onaitis has 15 years of executive government leadership experience, including serving as Covington city manager for three years, from 2019 to 2022. Earlier in her career, she served in several leadership roles with the city of Richmond.
Onaitis is to succeed interim City Manager Wayne Handley, Buena Vista’s former police chief who has been serving in his current role since March, when then-City Manager Jason Tyree stepped down to become zoning administrator for Rockbridge County. “I am humbled by the opportunity to serve a value-based city such as Buena Vista in a region I love,” said Onaitis in a statement that was included in a Friday press release announcing her appointment. “I look forward to bringing my experience and skillset to work with and through the City Council to help realize its vision for the future. I am excited to partner with the Council, staff, community partners and the citizens of Buena Vista to build upon the city’s successes and continue moving Buena Vista forward. Being part of this new chapter under the leadership of a motivated Council represents a rare opportunity not only to preserve Buena Vista’s unique character, but to help it prosper using its distinct values.”
Onaitis was selected from among 16 applicants. Department heads interviewed eight of the candidates. City Council interviewed the two top candidates.
Handley, winding down his time in Buena Vista before assuming his new job as superintendent of the Rockbridge Regional Jail, commented that “serving as interim city manager has been an honor, and I am grateful for the professionalism and dedication demonstrated each day by our employees as we navigated this transition. Our staff has remained focused on serving our residents and supporting the City Council’s priorities, and I am confident Krystal’s experience, leadership, and collaborative approach will build upon that strong foundation. I look forward to assisting in a seamless transition and seeing Buena Vista continue to move forward.”
Mayor Jesse Lineberry praised Handley for the role he’s played in the city’s transition of leadership. Handley, he said, “stepped forward when the city needed steady leadership, and I am grateful for the commitment, professionalism and service he has provided as interim city manager.
Onaitis, Lineberry continued, “has the experience and leadership needed to keep moving our community forward. We thank Wayne for answering the call to serve and look forward to working with Krystal as she begins this important role.”
In her most recent position with Goochland County, Onaitis provided executive oversight of community development, utilities, parks and recreation, transportation and other county operations while leading strategic initiatives and organizational improvements. Earlier in her career, when she worked for Richmond, she held positions within the mayor’s office, the department of public works and the office of the deputy chief administrative officer for operations. In those roles, she developed extensive expertise in local governance administration, strategic planning, budget management, organizational performance, infrastructure planning, economic development and intergovernmental collaboration.
Onaitis holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration with a concentration in public policy. Both degrees are from Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.
