The HRPDC recently welcomed two new employees to our staff and celebrated the career progression of four current employees who were promoted into new positions. Welcome aboard to the new hires and congratulations to our coworkers.

Mignon Burton, Housing Program Specialist

Mignon Burton recently joined the HRPDC staff as the Housing Program Specialist. She will assist with the ongoing work of the agency’s initiatives to strengthen affordable housing opportunities in region. Prior to joining the HRPDC, Ms. Burton worked as the Community Health Specialist for Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (SRHA).  In this capacity, she worked with residents in various community health and social activities, including a comprehensive smoking cessation program.  Ms. Burton also secured and managed several grants geared to the development of accessibility options for seniors and persons with disabilities.  She has worked over 15 years in the human services field including: domestic violence, issues of homelessness, and child welfare.

Dr. Katherine C. (KC) Filippino, Senior Water Resources Planner

Dr. Katherine C. (KC) Filippino joined the HRPDC staff as a Senior Water Resources Planner this month. She will assist HRPDC localities with water quality issues related to the Chesapeake Bay TMDL and other impaired waterways that impact local permits and planning.

Prior to joining the HRPDC, Dr. Filippino worked as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Ocean, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences at Old Dominion University. Among her duties at ODU, she coordinated large-scale water quality research efforts and field projects in estuarine waters, wrote grants, managed technicians and students, maintained budgets, and coordinated studies among research scientists, wastewater engineers (Hampton Roads Sanitation District), non-profit environmental groups, regulatory agencies (VA DEQ, VA VDH), and municipalities to bridge the gap between research and applied science.  Dr. Filippino’s primary area of expertise is centered in evaluating nutrient inputs, cycling, and bioavailability in estuarine and coastal waters with respect to algae blooms and ecosystem health. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Delaware and a Master’s and Ph.D in Oceanography from Old Dominion.

New Positions

Four HRPDC employees were recently promoted to new positions:  

Ms. Sharon Lawrence was promoted  to the Administrative Assistant II position in July of this year and is providing administrative support for all programs and departments of the HRPDC. She started her career with the HRPDC in 2008 as our receptionist where she greeted visitors and callers. In addition, as receptionist Sharon assisted with special administrative projects within the organization which, along with her previous experience as an Administrative Assistant for the law firm of Moody, Strople, Kloepple, Basilone & Higginbotham, prepared her for her new role. Congratulations Sharon!

Ms. Felecia Williams moved into her new position as our Receptionist when Ms. Lawrence moved into her new position. Ms. Williams began working at the HRPDC as a temporary employee in our Emergency Management department in 2012. When a part-time Administrative Assistant I position opened up in March 2013, she moved into that role providing administrative support to HRPDC staff. Like Ms. Lawrence before her, Felecia greets visitors and callers and provides assistance with special administrative projects as requested. Prior to joining the HRPDC, she worked at Amerigroup in their claims and appeals departments. Congratulations Felecia!

Ms. Katie Cullipher was promoted to Principal, Environmental Education in August. Ms. Cullipher joined the HRPDC in 2011 as a Senior Environmental Education Planner working with the committees that comprise the HRPDC’s environmental education program, ask HRgreen.org, as well as that of the water assistance program, H2O-Help to Others. In her new role, she will provide management of those programs. Prior to joining the HRPDC, Ms. Cullipher work as a Media and Communications Coordinator II for the City of Virginia Beach’s Department of Public Utilities. Congratulations Katie!

Ms. Rebekah Eastep, was promoted to Environmental Education Planner II in August. Ms. Eastep joined the HRPDC in 2013 as an Environmental Education Planner I working with the committees that comprise the HRPDC’s environmental education program, ask HRgreen.org, as well as that of the water assistance program, H2O-Help to Others. Prior to joining the HRPDC, Ms. Eastep worked as a Public Safety Analyst II for the City of Virginia Beach’s Police Department. Congratulations Rebekah!