Joe Waltz named Front Royal Town Manager

Joe Waltz, named as the next Town Manager of Front Royal, stands with the Mayor and Council of the town at the gazebo, following Tuesday’s announcement. Photo/ Jarred Hill

FRONT ROYAL – The Front Royal Town Council announced Tuesday that Interim Town Manager Joseph E. Waltz will be appointed as the next Town Manager for Front Royal at the Council’s next meeting on Monday, June 12.

Speaking from the steps of the gazebo, in historic downtown Front Royal, Mayor Hollis Tharpe, flanked by councilors Bébhinn Egger, Eugene Tewalt, Bill Sealock and Jake Meza, made the announcement to a group of friends, family, coworkers and reporters at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Tharpe said the council, with the assistance of Julie Bush, human resources director, reviewed 45 applicants, narrowed it down to seven candidates, then a final two. After interviewing those two candidates, Councilman Jake Meza said Waltz was a “clear unanimous choice who stood out” from the other candidates.

Miss Egger said working with Waltz the last six months had been a wonderful experience and that as interim manager, Waltz had provided “solid leadership” and was a “strong, humble leader” whom she wished much continued success.

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Eugene Tewalt spoke to Waltz’s 12 years as a Front Royal employee, saying that he had done a “super job keeping electrical rates low” and that he was a dedicated employee.
Councilor Bill Sealock chimed in with praise for Waltz, saying that the Town was fortunate to have such a devoted employee. “Kudos to Joe,” Sealock said, as Waltz approached the microphone to address the gathered crowd.

He told the group he was “honored and excited to accept the position and looked forward to working with the Town and the community.” Waltz said he believed that teamwork was important, along with an open-door policy. He said his door would always be open for both employees and citizens.

Waltz was appointed by Town Council on Nov. 16, 2016 as Interim Town Manager after Steve Burke left his post to take a job with the City of Manassas, VA. Waltz was hired by the Town in Dec. 2005 to lead and manage the Town’s electric utility department; he served as the Director of Public Utilities from 2006-2008. He has over 26 years of experience in the electric power business.

Waltz has a B.S. in Business from Strayer University and an A.S. in Applied Science in Electronics. He has received a Certificate in Public Administration from Shenandoah University and is a Certified Energy Procurement Professional (CEP) from the Association of Energy Engineers. He has also served as a past board member for American Municipal Power (AMP), as well as other agencies.

Royal Examiner cameras were there!

Town Council introduces new Town Manager, Joe Waltz:

Norma Jean Shaw, from Royal Examiner, welcomes our new Town Manager
at the gazebo in downtown Front Royal: