Central Virginia Transportation Authority selects first executive director

The members of the Central Virginia Transportation Authority, the cross-jurisdictional authority that finances transportation projects throughout the Greater Richmond region, has named Chet Parsons as its first-ever executive director.

The CVTA was established by the Virginia General Assembly in 2020 to provide and direct new funding opportunities for the region’s major transportation investments. Parsons has acted as the CVTA’s administrator since its inception in his capacity of director of transportation at PlanRVA.

The CVTA has supported more than $460 million in regional transportation projects, in addition to more than $77 million in funding to the Greater Richmond Transit Company.

“The CVTA has already made a significant contribution to the transportation infrastructure of Central Virginia, and I’m excited at this opportunity to build on the momentum moving forward,” Parsons said. “We are focused on ensuring that tax dollars going into the CVTA are leveraging critical investment in our communities – investments that will help grow the region and enhance our quality of life.”

A 26-year veteran of transportation planning, Parsons has led the regional transportation planning efforts of the Richmond Regional Transportation Planning Organization, the region’s federally designated entity responsible for planning and prioritization of transportation needs. Prior to joining PlanRVA in 2019, he served as a senior planner/project manager for AECOM, a global infrastructure consulting firm; executive director of the Greater Morgantown (West Virginia) Metropolitan Planning Organization; and a senior planner with Goochland County.

Parsons received his master’s degree in urban and regional planning from Virginia Commonwealth University and a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University. He holds certifications from the American Institute of Certified Planners and the American Planning Association.

“The appointment of Chet Parsons as the CVTA’s first-ever executive director reflects the high esteem he has engendered with members of the authority,” said Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and CVTA chair. “Chet’s leadership, acumen and experience in the area of transportation are second to none, and we are confident that he will help us move forward progressively and thoughtfully in addressing the region’s most important transportation needs.”

Among the 45 projects funded through the CVTA are: widening the 29-mile gap of Interstate 64 in New Kent County; developing segments of the new Fall Line Trail between Ashland and Petersburg (including through Northern Henrico); developing a connector trail and bridge to the new Green City development in Henrico; and adding much-needed capacity to Woolridge Road in Chesterfield County as part of the continued development of Upper Magnolia Green.

“Chet’s leadership in helping establish the CVTA over the last few years has been instrumental in not only helping forge important partnerships but also providing acute clarity as we tackle the region’s transportation needs,” said Kevin Carroll, Chesterfield Supervisor and former CVTA chair. “We look forward to tapping his wisdom and insights in his new role.”

PlanRVA – a regional organization focused on community development, emergency management, the environment and transportation – provides staffing to assist the CVTA in its administration, project evaluation and prioritization, and other identified needs.