City Manager's Office

As Alexandria's chief administrative officer, the City Manager is responsible for overseeing a budget of over $1 billion and a workforce of more than 2,500 employees.
Page updated on February 23, 2023 at 10:32 AM

The Alexandria City Manager is appointed by the City Council to be the chief administrative officer of the City. The City Manager carries out the policy directives of the City Council and manages the daily operations of City government. The City Manager oversees the preparation of  the annual operating and capital budgets, an annual report and other such periodic financial and administrative reports as may be required for submission to the City Council. The City Manager appoints all heads of departments and employees of the City, except those in elected, judicial and school positions.

The City Manager's administrative staff oversees the preparation and review of all City Council docket items, requests, and Council Retreat materials. The administrative staff also serves as a liaison with City departments and with other governmental entities receiving funding from the City, but not reporting to the City Manager, and generally administers the City government.

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City Manager James F. Parajon

On December 1, 2021, the Alexandria City Council appointed James F. Parajon as Alexandria’s City Manager, effective January 18, 2022. Parajon succeeds to Mark B. Jinks, who retired in January 2022. Parajon brings nearly three decades of experience as a professional planner with an extensive technical and management background.
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Deputy City Manager Emily A. Baker

Emily A. Baker is the Deputy City Manager responsible for overseeing and facilitating the City's land use planning, zoning, historic preservation, transportation, environmental protection, code administration, affordable housing, and museum functions.
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Deputy City Manager Debra R. Collins

Debra R. Collins is the Deputy City Manager responsible for the oversight of Public Safety Agencies and the Department of Community and Human Services. She is the City Liaison to the Health Department, Commonwealth's Attorney, Court Service Unit, and the Sheriff's Office. She is also responsible for all City grant funding to nonprofits and functions as the City's lead staff to the Alexandria City Public Schools. Collins previously was the Director of Human Services for the City of Alexandria.
Professional photo of Yon Lambert

Deputy City Manager Yon Lambert

Mr. Lambert joined the City in 2006. Since 2014, Yon has been the Director of the Department of Transportation & Environmental Services (T&ES), overseeing 255 staff and an annual operating budget of $94 million.  Mr. Lambert will be responsible for public safety agencies, Emergency and Customer Communications, Code Administration, and General Services. 
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Chief of Staff Sermaine "Coco" McLean

In 2022, Sermaine “Coco” McLean was promoted to Chief of Staff by City Manager Parajon. McLean served as the Assistant to the City Manager since April 2015 actively supporting and upholding the City’s stated mission, vision, and values. McLean is responsible for the oversight of the Office of the City Manager leading a team of professionals.
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Assistant City Manager Sarah G. Taylor

Sarah G. Taylor is Alexandria's Legislative Director and prepares, in consultation with the City Council Legislative Sub-committee and the City Manager, the City's annual legislative package for consideration by the City Council, advocates on legislative items of concern to the City during the Virginia General Assembly session, and monitors state and federal legislative activities so that appropriate action can be taken to advocate and safeguard the City's interests.
Julian Gonsalves

Assistant City Manager Julian Gonsalves

Julian Gonsalves is the Assistant City Manager for Public-Private Partnerships, responsible for the development and delivery of the City’s P3 initiatives, primarily through capital project planning and financing.

Race and Social Equity Officer Jaqueline Tucker

Jaqueline Tucker directs the City government’s race and social equity programs, and is working to build a framework to ensure policy decisions advance race and social equity for all Alexandria residents. She collaborates with City departments, employees, community members and other stakeholders to help Alexandria become a more equitable community.