On October 22nd, Randy Keaton, HRPDC Interim Executive Director, participated in a panel discussion focusing on “How the Region Works.” The discussion was part of the CIVIC Leadership Institute's Class of 2015 Opening Retreat in Williamsburg. Mr. Keaton was one of three speakers invited to provide a high-level overview of issues that challenge the Hampton Roads region.  He shared his insight on the role of HRPDC and the different departments, sea-level rise and flooding, and local government impact on day to day life in Hampton Roads.

Mr. Keaton began his employment with the HRPDC as Deputy Executive Director on May 1, 2013, and was appointed Interim Director in March 2014. He supervises the administrative, planning and programming activities of the HRPDC including Emergency Management, Water Resources, Housing, Economics, Planning, and Environmental Education. Prior to the HRPDC, Mr. Keaton served 30 years in local government in North Carolina, including 26 years in Pasquotank County, North Carolina as County Manager.
 
Mr. Keaton was joined on the CIVIC Leadership panel by Dr. Camelia Ravanbakht, Interim Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) and Dr. Quentin Kidd, Department Chair and Director, Judy Ford Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University. The discussion was moderated by CIVIC Leadership Institute President and CEO, Cathy Lewis.

CIVIC Leadership Institute is the only executive-level leadership organization that spans both sides of the Hampton Roads harbor.  CIVIC brings together proven leaders from the entire region to establish relationships, share knowledge and explore ways to make Hampton Roads an even better place to call home.