Nathan Garrison

Experience

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  Town of Grottoes

  May 2011 - Nov 2015

  • Tourism and Parks Assistant Director (Grand Caverns)

    Jan 2013 - Nov 2015

  • Grand Caverns Tour Guide

    May 2011 - Jan 2013
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  Town of Grottoes

  Nov 2015 - Jun 2018

  Tourism and Parks Director (Grand Caverns)
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  Town of Grottoes

  Jun 2018 - Oct 2020

  Town Manager

  -Served as the administrative head for the town of Grottoes overseeing all operational services and enforced town code, policies, and regulations. -Led a team of six departments to meet citizen needs and advance town goals (Tourism/Parks, Police, Public Works, Water, Sewer, Finance). -Audited all budgets, line-items, and accounts and successfully saved over $100,000 in misappropriated funds. -Prepared and proposed annual budget for Town Council and community review. -Drafted new personnel handbook and several town ordinances for adoption by Town Council. -Acted as Zoning Administrator, Safety Coordinator, Procurement Manager, and Hiring Manager. -Attended and provided guidance at all Planning Commission meetings.-Engaged in Community & Economic Development responsibilities.-Conducted utility and roadway inspections for new development. -Assisted in planning and execution of all town sponsored events. -Developed Town Capital Improvement and Public Works Strategic Plan. -Led the Town and Grand Caverns through the first 8 months of the pandemic. -Administered initial CARES Act funds and developed action plan with the Town Council. -Collaborated with town citizens, staff, and Town Council to identify town priorities and goals and resolve outstanding concerns or issues. Show less

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  Shenandoah Valley Travel Association

  Mar 2020 - now

  • Board of Directors

    Mar 2018 - now

  • President

    Mar 2020 - Jun 2022
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  Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission

  Nov 2020 - Apr 2022

  Regional Planner II

  Served as a Regional Planner II for the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission assisting the 21 localities and partner organizations within our foot print through technical assistance and project management. Localities include: Rockingham, Augusta, Bath, Highland, and Rockbridge Counties; Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, Lexington, and Buena Vista Cities; and the 11 Town's within.Notable Projects:-Administer a $4 million EDA Public Works grant for the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD) to construct two clear-span 10,000 sq.ft. airplane hangers at their Aviation Technology Park, resulting in additional high-paying jobs in the aviation sector. -Acquired a $100k GO Virginia grant for SHD to complete utility engineering of their Aviation Technology Park and prepare for a larger GOVA construction grant. -Provided project management and technical support for various projects in the Town of Goshen. -Assisted Goshen in acquiring a $50k DHCD CDBG Planning Grant to conduct the feasibility to convert an old school into a multi-use community center and prepare for a future construction grant application.-Grant Administrator for several GOVA projects, including SVP's Scale-up and Sites Enhancement Projects, and SHD's Technology Park engineering. -Member of the EDA Recovery and Resiliency team, creating a Central Shenandoah Pandemic Resiliency Plan and economic study (Chmura). -Convene and lead the regions 11 Towns virtually each month to provide time for collaboration and discussion. -Led the CSPDC re-procurement of their On-Call Consultant program, including VDOT ACO submission and approval for transportation related projects. -Developed Augusta County Service Authority's yearly Recycle Rate Report, as required by DEQ. Show less

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  Shenandoah Valley Partnership

  May 2022 - Sept 2023

  Business Development Manager
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  Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce

  May 2022 - now

  Policy Board Member
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  Shenandoah Valley Airport

  Sept 2022 - now

  Air Service Task Force Member
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  Town Of New Market

  Sept 2023 - now

  Town Manager
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  Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA)

  Jan 2024 - now

  Emerging Leaders Committee Chair