Hanover County Administrator, Cecil R. Harris Jr., has announced the appointment of Richard T. Gordon as Hanover County’s new Chief Building Official.  He begins October 1, 2017. 

Gordon has been Senior Plans Review Engineer in Henrico County since October 2014.  In this position, he has supervised commercial plan review staff and commercial building inspections staff and has reviewed site plan submittals as part of the development plan process.  

As Senior Plans Review Engineer, Gordon has worked actively with economic development clients and helped facilitate process improvements, including reducing service delivery times.

Gordon has nearly 13 years of code enforcement experience with Henrico, beginning as a Building and Fire Protection Plan Reviewer, followed by eight years as Senior Commercial Inspector, and three years as Senior Plan Review Engineer.

“We are impressed with Richard’s range of experience, and particularly his work with economic development prospects,” Harris said.  “Richard has been part of a strong team that has a proven track record of success in economic development.”

“He is also very customer service-oriented and will continue our tradition of working with our citizens and businesses to meet their needs,” Harris added.

“Hanover County has an outstanding reputation in the region for excellence in public service, so when the Chief Building Official position became available, I was eager to apply,” Gordon said.  “I believe Hanover is unique in the region, offering residents both rural character and access to all the features of the Richmond Metro area - an ideal place to live and work.  I also look forward to working with our development departments to help Hanover continue to grow in a sustainable fashion.”

“As Chief Building Official, my primary job will be to ensure that our citizens receive the highest level of service possible,” Gordon added.  “A building inspections department is usually viewed as an enforcement agency, but an effective department is a resource for citizens, contractors, designers, and businesses. 

“Whether we are answering a question from a resident, meeting with a contractor or architect to work through a design question, we have to recognize that they are all our customers,” Gordon added.  “We must work together toward the goal of building safety, not act as in impediment to the construction process.”

He succeeds Richard Bartell, who retired effective August 31 after 30 years with Hanover County.  Bartell also had been active in the Virginia Building Code Officials Association (VBCOA).