Jim Chandler brings to Richmond decades of experience in public service, with a career spanning local government, education, and community development across Virginia, Maryland, Wyoming, and Maine. His leadership roles have included positions in Amherst and Fairfax County, Virginia, as well as Dexter, Hampden, and Caribou, Maine.
Jim began his career in public safety as a communications and police officer in Falls Church, Virginia, and while the student resource officer also coached high school baseball, basketball, and soccer. His background includes fire/EMS, law enforcement, transportation infrastructure planning, design, construction project management, and municipal administration/operations. As Continuity of Operations Program Manager in Fairfax County, he collaborated with local, state, and federal agencies to strengthen emergency preparedness and community resilience across the National Capital Region.
In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Jim served as Pathways and Trails Coordinator, where he championed pedestrian safety and constructed multi-use trails through initiatives like “complete streets” and “Safe Routes to School.” He is committed to regional collaboration, and to partnering with the Richmond School Department Superintendent Chad Kempton, to enhance service coordination as the Town and Schools strive for excellence in the responsible stewardship of community resources, and the advancement of both organizations as innovative leaders in Maine.
Jim holds an Associate of Arts in Philosophy from Northern Virginia Community College, a Bachelor of Arts in Government with a minor in Environmental Geology from The College of William and Mary, and a Master of Public Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management/Homeland Security from George Mason University
An avid outdoorsman and lifelong coach, Jim enjoys hiking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, kayaking, skiing, soccer, and baseball. Jim is a servant-leader, committed to organizational excellence and leadership that instills respect, transparency, kindness, gratitude, and wonder. As Town Manager, Jim is dedicated to listening, learning – and empowering the community’s vision for Richmond.
