Shannon Paul to Lead Implementation of the Mayoral Action Plan, Advancing Efficiency, Responsiveness, and Performance Across City Departments  

Richmond, VA— Mayor Danny Avula today announced a significant step towards shaping Richmond city government into a model 21st-century public sector organization in naming the City’s first-ever Transformation Manager. The Transformation Manager is charged with driving the implementation of the Mayoral Action Plan and using it as a framework to identify ongoing challenges to improve customer service, efficiency, and performance across city government.  

Implementation of the MAP will be led by the City’s first Transformation Manager, Ms. Shannon Paul, appointed following a competitive search. Ms. Paul currently serves as Deputy Director of Financial and Administrative Services for the Department of Justice Services (DJS). In that role, she spent 11 months on part-time assignment to the Mayor’s Office to lead and support the development and initial implementation of the Mayoral Action Plan. In addition to her role with DJS, Ms. Paul, a Howard University graduate, has served in a variety of strategic and management roles in the City of Richmond since 2000, including in the Office of Budget & Strategic Planning. 

“Shannon Paul is the right person at the right time at this critical juncture for Richmond,” said  Mayor Danny Avula.  "She understands the organization's strengths and weaknesses from both strategic and operational perspectives, and she knows that effective city government can not only deliver services-- it can also change lives. Shannon played a crucial role in developing the Mayoral Action Plan and will now help ensure that a great plan translates into impactful action." 

Ms. Paul will lead these efforts in concert with contracted strategic support and internal staff, with specific service area expertise ranging from data, process improvement, and organizational problem-solving deployed to address issues as they are identified. The Transformation Manager will coordinate with executive leaders including Deputy Chief Administrative Officers and department Directors to report findings, issue recommendations, and provide progress reports on a regular basis to the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer.  

“Establishing the Transformation Manager is a clear step toward making Mayor Avula's vision of a well-functioning government a reality,” said  Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II . “Ms. Paul’s unique skillset, including Green Belt in Six Sigma process improvement methodology, coupled with a more than twenty-year track record of identifying issues and resolving them across the City, positions her to help lead the administration's march toward developing a world class municipal government.” 

The Transformation Manager will work across all city agencies, and report to the Chief Administrative Officer.  

“As a devoted city resident, Richmond Public Schools graduate, and someone who has spent her career in service to the city, I’m excited about this opportunity to help move the city forward and see it thrive,” said Shannon Paul. “Mayor Avula and his team came into office not only with inspiring goals but with a detailed vision and plan for achieving them. If we approach the Mayoral Action Plan with commitment, focus, and resolve, there’s no stopping Richmond, as an organization and a community. I’m honored to lead the Mayor’s transformation efforts and I can't wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work.” 

Key functions of the Transformation Manager will include: 

• Overseeing the new performance management system tied to the MAP which the City has established to collect, assess, and utilize high-quality data tied to specific MAP goals
• Using this data and other information to critically assess the City’s progress towards MAP goals, and make recommendations to the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer 
• Undertaking deep-dive problem-solving within departments to identify and implement significant process improvements in problem areas. 

Ms. Paul’s first day will be March 9, 2026.

Bonus rewards available during Love Shopping Local Week, February 11–18  

Richmond, VA  —  The City of Richmond Department of Economic Development is proud to introduce RVA Open Rewards, a customer rewards program designed to drive traffic to neighborhood businesses, strengthen the local economy, and reward residents for shopping local. 

The pilot program, hosted on the Bludot Open Rewards app, allows shoppers to earn rewards on every purchase at participating Richmond businesses, automatically and at no cost to consumers or business owners.

The RVA Open Rewards pilot is launching with businesses located across Brookland Park, Carytown, Downtown (including historic Monroe and Jackson Ward, City Center, and Arts District), Manchester, and Shockoe. The program makes it easy to support local businesses while keeping more dollars in Richmond’s neighborhoods.  

“Richmond’s small businesses are the backbone of our local economy,” said Mayor Danny Avula . “RVA Open Rewards gives residents a simple, meaningful way to invest in the places that make Richmond unique.” 

Participation in RVA Open Rewards is easy. Simply: 

1. Download the Open Rewards App and create an account
2. Shop as you normally would
3. Upload your receipts (or link a card)
4. Earn and redeem your rewards! 

There is no cost to consumers or businesses for participation. Richmond businesses in pilot corridors across retail, dining, and personal services are included, and additional businesses in these corridors are able to request participation via this interest form . 

“This initiative is about intentional economic development that supports our small businesses and strengthens our neighborhoods,” said project lead Allison Beatty, Economic Development, Commercial Corridor Policy & Engagement . "And with the inaugural Love Shopping Local Week, we’re doing just that: inviting our residents and visitors to enjoy Richmond's many incredible businesses.” 

Residents can learn more about the program by visiting RichmondEDA.com or by downloading the BluDot: Open Rewards app . 

Love Shopping Local Week 

To celebrate the launch of RVA Open Rewards, the City will host the inaugural Love Shopping Local Week from February 11–18 , encouraging residents to show extra love to Richmond’s neighborhood businesses. 

During this special promotion, RVA Open Rewards will offer an additional 1% cash back, increasing the standard reward from 5% to 6% at participating businesses, for a limited time. 

The City of Richmond will be closed Monday, February 16, in observance of Presidents’ Day. All city offices, including City Hall, will be closed. We will return to our regular business hours on Tuesday, February 17.  Keep reading for impacts to City services. For the full list of 2026 observed holidays, please visit the City's Holiday Closures page.  

• There will be no trash collection or bulk and brush collection on Monday, February 16. All collections will be delayed by one day. Collections scheduled for pick-up on Monday will be picked up on Tuesday and so on through Friday, February 20.
• The East Richmond Road Convenience Center (ERRCC) Landfill, located at 3800 East Richmond Road, will be open on Saturday, February 14, and will be closed on Monday, February 16. ERRCC will reopen on Tuesday, February 17.
• Recycling services will operate as normal on Monday, February 16.
• All Richmond Public Libraries are closed on Monday, February 16, and will reopen on Tuesday, February 17.  
• RVA311 will be open Saturday, Saturday, February 14, and will be closed on February 16. The public will have 24/7 access to self-service via RVA311.com and mobile apps.
• Richmond Public Schools and offices are closed on February 16. They will reopen on Tuesday, February 17.
• All Department of Parks and Recreation offices and community centers are closed Monday, February 16.   
• The Department of Public Utilities Call Center is closed Monday, February 16. For utility emergencies, customers should call 804-646-4646 and press Option 1. For gas leaks, leave the area and call 911.  
• Richmond Animal Care and Control will be closed on Monday, February 16. RACC will reopen by appointment only on Tuesday, February 17, and will have regular walk-in hours on Wednesday, February 18. 

Join City Leaders for an Upcoming Interactive Budget Strategy Session.

Registration is now live for the remaining sessions of Engage RVA , a Budget Town Hall series which invites residents to learn more about the budget process and share input on the City’s funding priorities.  

The town halls feature engaging, interactive sessions to walk residents through the budget process, including how revenues are allocated, how funding decisions are made, and how community input will be considered and incorporated into the proposed budget.  

Please see below for information on the remaining townhalls. Registration is required to participate; links can be found in the below and online at go.rva.gov/engage .  

Spanish language interpretation will be available at Huguenot and Hickory Hill town hall sessions. ASL interpretation will be available at the Hickory Hill session.

Virtual Town Hall 

For those unable to attend in-person, a recording of the budget town hall presentation is now available online. Residents are encouraged to watch the recorded session in its entirety and then take the budget prioritization survey.  

Data from this survey will be compiled with data points from our in-person sessions and will be shared with the Mayor and City Council during the budget process as a step towards bringing that process closer to the needs and values of our communities.  

About the City’s Budget 

The City’s annual budget supports core services and investments, including public safety, housing, infrastructure, schools, parks, neighborhoods services, and more over a fiscal year period (July 1 – June 30). Every March, the Mayor is required to submit a budget proposal to City Council for consideration. The proposal aligns funding with administrative and Council priorities and once approved by City Council, allows the City to execute funds against those priorities. 

Today, the City of Richmond, in coordination with local and regional partners, announced the deactivation of the  Extreme Weather Warming Center located at the Linwood Robinson Senior Center (700 N. 26th Street) effective  Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 9 a.m.  due to improving weather conditions and reduced risk of extreme cold exposure. This deactivation does not impact the services at the Salvation Army Inclement Weather Shelter or the CARITAS Overflow Shelter.

“The Extreme Weather Warming Center reflects our city’s commitment to protecting our most vulnerable residents during extreme weather”,  said Mayor Danny Avula . “I am deeply grateful to the staff, volunteers, and community partners who stepped up to ensure our neighbors had a safe and warm place to go. While we are encouraged by improving conditions, we remain ready to respond quickly whenever our community’s safety is at risk.” 

“Through the activation of our extreme weather warming centers,  an average of 50 residents per night over ten days had access to a safe, warm space in between Winter Storms Fern and Gianna, and throughout the extended period of extreme cold. This effort reflects the strength of our partnerships and the dedication of our staff and volunteers, who worked tirelessly to ensure everyone in need had the opportunity for safety in dangerous conditions,”  said Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Amy Popovich . “While these warming centers are now deactivated, we remain committed to monitoring conditions and mobilizing resources quickly to protect our residents whenever severe weather threatens our community.” 

The extreme weather warming centers were activated in response to the Winter Weather and Cold Weather Advisories issued by the National Weather Service. Once the weather advisory condition definition has been resolved, the extreme weather warming center is deactivated. The City of Richmond continues to encourage residents to remain attentive to changing weather conditions and to check on neighbors, especially older adults and those with limited resources. 

Individuals in need of shelter or assistance can contact the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care  at 804-972-0813 or visit the Office of Homeless Services website. Residents can also contact 3-1-1 for shelter updates and information about available services. Residents are also able to continue to utilize Richmond Public Library locations during normal business hours  as warming location option.  

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