Portsmouth Gains, Norfolk Loses

Maybe Chuck Rigney can do for Portsmouth what Portsmouth couldn't do for itself. This isn't a criticism of Portsmouth. This is really a note of praise for Portsmouth city officials who chose Rigney to head the city's economic development department.

Rigney is the right choice for the right time.

 Norfolk's loss is Portsmouth's gain. But then Norfolk officials never saw Rigney as a gain; by their actions, it seemed he was more of a loss, or maybe they were at a loss at what to do with him. Rigney, the assistant director of Development for Norfolk, announced his new position on Facebook last Friday.

For whatever reason, FB not willing to accept that I have, in fact, accepted the job as Economic Development Director in Portsmouth, VA, effective 11/3/14. Everyone knows how much I love Norfolk, where I have had the honor and good fortune to work for over 17 years. To move over to Portsmouth is an incredible opportunity; I am looking forward to working with John Rowe and my new teammates in Portsmouth very much. Thank you all for your good wishes and support - can't even begin to tell all how excited I am to be working with John Rowe and the Portsmouth team!

When Norfolk's previous director, Steven Anderson, left quite hastily after a prosaic eight-month tenure as the city's development director, Norfolk was left once again without someone directing the city's economy.

Norfolk city officials and leaders have struggled to find a replacement for Rod Woolard, a steely-eyed civil servant with the demeanor of a CEO. Woolard, secretive and cagy, was a relic of a past steeped in backroom deals. Yet Woolard was a symbol of efficient government dictated by commercial interests while maintaining a precarious balance with the public.

Rigney, his assistant director, stood in his position for 2 ½ years. Rigney, a former banker and real estate guy, is a good soldier and a solid steady sales guy, and he knows the game inside and out.

But in the in final analysis he was bypassed in favor of Anderson, an unknown whose last assignment was in St. Mary's, Maryland, known more for its past than for its present.

When Anderson departed, Assistant City Manager Ron Williams took control of the city's economic development initiatives. Williams, a VMI graduate, is a policy wonk; he's more comfortable executing policy than enacting economic change.

Rigney was bypassed – again.

And again.

Enter Peter Chapman, who has been hired as Norfolk's deputy city manager. Chapman, the former deputy chief administrative officer for Economic Development and Planning for the city of Richmond, will start Nov. 3.

Chapman will oversee Norfolk's Economic Development, Workforce Development and the Norfolk Economic Development Authority and serve as liaison to Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, according to a statement issued by the city. Chapman will manage the city's Development Dept. until he decides if the department needs a director.

Rigney got the message: despite his loyalty and persistence, he was no longer considered an asset for Norfolk.

So he did the next best thing: he exited for a town that wants his talent, his skills and experience.