Governor Forms Task Force to Identify Cost Cutting Best Practices in State Government

Press Release

The Governor is establishing an Operational Review Task Force to look for cost cutting best practices in Virginia's operational costs. This Task Force was formed as a result of a recommendation by the Commission and will be chaired by Special Advisor to the Commission Bill Leighty, chief of staff to former Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. The Task Force will evaluate 12 areas of government to identify potential savings in operational costs and recommend strategies for realizing those savings. Each of the 12 Task Force teams includes a representative from local government, state government, the private sector and agency staff. Similar reviews were done during the previous administration. In addition to considering new recommendations for reducing operational costs, this Task Force will follow up on the efficacy and implementation of previously recommended strategies.

Speaking about the Operational Review Task Force, Governor McDonnell remarked, "This Task Force will further examine ways to eliminate inefficiencies and reduce excess waste. We need to identify and implement best practices that help ensure state government is a good steward of our taxpayers' hard earned dollars. This is collaboration and teamwork at its best and I thank Chairman Leighty for his leadership in this endeavor."

Bill Leighty, Chairman of the Task Force, added, "The members of the Governor's Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring recognized the importance of evaluating operational costs in state government when they recommended a series of operational reviews last week. These reviews will offer strategies to realize savings in operational costs that apply to agencies throughout state government. Our Task Force includes representatives from state government, local government and the private sector. Their breadth of experience will reveal best practices and solutions that will only improve Virginia's standing as the nation's 'Best Managed State'."

The Task Force will complete its work no later than Friday, November 12th. Chairman Leighty will then present the report and recommendations to the Governor's Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring at its next meeting. The recommendations will be considered for inclusion in a report from the Commission, due on December 1st.
Operational Review Task Force Team Members

Operational Review of the Commonwealth's Usage of Energy

* State Sponsor: Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy
* Industry: Michael T. Hubbard, Manager (Energy Conservation), Dominion Virginia Power
* Local Government: John Morrill, Energy Manager, Arlington County
* Agency Staff: Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center

Operational Review of the Commonwealth's Usage of Water

* State Sponsor & Agency Staff: Department of Environmental Quality
* Industry: William R. Walsh, President, Virginia American Water and Maryland American Water
* Local Government: Bob Steidel, Interim Director of Public Utilities, City of Richmond

Operational Review of the Commonwealth's Waste Management

* State Sponsor: Department of Conservation & Recreation
* Industry: Doug Whitehead, Director of Operations (Virginia/Maryland/Delaware), Waste Management, Inc
* Local Government: John F. Miniclier, Jr. , County Administrator, Charles City County
* Agency Staff: Department of Environmental Quality

Operational Review of the Commonwealth's Usage of Phones and Data

* State Sponsor & Agency Staff: Virginia Information Technologies Agency
* Industry: John Herrmann, Solutions Architect with Verizon Business, serving Government and Education
* Local Government: Michael J. Culp, IT Director, Albemarle County

Operational Review of the Commonwealth's Usage of Printers, Copiers and Fax Machines

* State Sponsor: Virginia Employment Commission
* Industry: Keith Wine, Client Executive and Senior Vice President for Virginia, Affiliated Computer Services, Inc., a Xerox Company
* Local Government: John Kandris, IT Director, Virginia Association of Counties
* Agency Staff: Virginia Information Technologies Agency

Operational Review of the Commonwealth's Asset Inventory & Management

* State Sponsor & Agency Staff: Department of Accounts
* Industry: Andrew Harmond, Virginia Public Sector Client Manager, IBM
* Local Government: Regina V. K. Williams, Manager, City of Norfolk

Operational Review of the Commonwealth's Travel

* State Sponsor: Virginia Department of Human Resource Management
* Industry: Joseph S. Testa, Vice President of State Government Affairs, American Express Company
* Local Government: George Hrichak, Fleet Manager, City of Chesapeake
* Agency Staff: Virginia Dept of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services

Operational Review of the Commonwealth's Fleet Management

* State Sponsor: Department of General Services
* Industry: Michael E. Wright, Group Manager, Enterprise Fleet Management
* Local Government: Paul N. Proto, Director of General Services, Henrico County
* Agency Staff: Department of the Treasury

Operational Review of the Commonwealth's Usage of Banking Services

* State Sponsor: Office of the Secretary of Finance
* Industry: Vanessa Hampton, Vice President, BB&T
* Local Government: Dean Lynch, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Virginia Association of Counties
* Agency Staff: Department of the Treasury

Operational Review of the Commonwealth's Accounts Receivable

* State Sponsor: Department of Accounts
* Industry: Gena Wade, Vice President, Public Sector (U.S. Central and South), CGI
* Industry: Mike London, Vice President of Consulting, CGI
* Local Government: Molly Ward, Mayor, City of Hampton
* Agency Staff: Office of the Attorney General

Operational Review of the Commonwealth's Surplus Property

* State Sponsor: Department of General Services
* Industry: Gordon Hendry , First Vice President (Public Institutions and Education), CB Richard Ellis
* Industry: Michael E. Thomas, Senior Vice President of Grassroots Issue Management, McGuireWoods Consulting
* Local Government: James D. Campbell, Executive Director, Virginia Association of Counties
* Agency Staff: Virginia Department of Human Resource Management

Operational Review of the Commonwealth's Insurance (Health & Risk Management)

* State Sponsor: Virginia Department of Human Resource Management
* Industry: Scott J. McKay, CIO and Senior Vice President (Technology and Operations), Genworth Financial
* Local Government: Greg Dickie, Director of Membership Services, Virginia Municipal League, Insurance Programs
* Local Government: Christopher J. Carey, Director, Virginia Association of Counties Risk Management Programs, Inc.
* Agency Staff: Department of General Services

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