The Regional Commission hosted its 2017 Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner on September 27th at Rock Hill Farm in Culpeper County.  Local elected officials from the region's five counties and eight towns were joined by planning staff members, public, non-profit, and private sector partners in the region to celebrate the work of the past year and look ahead to continuing coordination and collaboration in the future.  The 2017 Regional Distinguished Leadership Awards were presented to Mr. Robert Bradford and Mr. Brian Duncan for their years of service and stewardship to the Rappahannock-Rapidan region. 

Mr. Bradford was selected in acknowledgement of his voluntary service and stewardship of the region’s natural resources.  Mr. Bradford has served as a member of the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Directors since 1996 as an elected representative from Orange County.  His service as Chairman of the District’s Technical Committee includes oversight of technical operations related to flood control dams in the District’s service area, applications for cost-sharing incentive programs supporting Best Management Practices, and policy guidance.  Mr. Bradford is also a past President of the Central Virginia Cattleman’s Association, and is an advocate for innovative solutions for agriculture and natural resource management, including water quality measures, forestland management, and forage management on his farm in Orange County.

Mr. Duncan was selected as an honoree in appreciation for his 25-year service to the Rappahannock-Rapidan region as Executive Director of Rappahannock-Rapidan Community Services.  As RRCS Executive Director, Mr. Duncan has overseen the expansion of services for behavioral health, developmental disabilities, mental health, and aging services in the region, as well as progress in providing timely access to treatment, increased residential options, collaborative transportation initiatives, and facility expansion and renovations.  Mr. Duncan’s steady, patient, and analytical leadership style have improved outcomes and opportunities for RRCS as an organization and for the coordination of services within the Rappahannock-Rapidan region.  Mr. Duncan has announced his retirement for February 2018.

Along with the award presentation, Regional Commisson members and meeting attendees heard a presentation from Mr. John Martin on Autonomous Vehicles and impacts of driverless vehicles on transportation systems and how planners and local governments can prepare for such impacts.