May 10, 2023
County Administration
Chesterfield is pleased to announce the creation of its new Department of Constituent and Media Services, a merger of two existing departments responsible for internal and external communications, strategic messaging on behalf of county leadership, public engagement and transparent governance.
“While the staffs have their own unique duties and responsibilities, there is also shared purpose between the Constituent Services and Communications and Media departments,” said Matt Harris, deputy county administrator for finance and administration. “By bringing them together as part of the same team, we’re confident it will create numerous opportunities for greater collaboration and significantly increase the efficiency of their respective operations.”
Dave Goode, a 22-year Chesterfield employee who previously served as the county’s constituent services administrator, has been selected as director of Constituent and Media Services.
In his new role, Goode will continue to oversee a Constituent Services office that functions as intermediary for constituent concerns, assists members of the Board of Supervisors with speechwriting, presentations and preparation for special events, develops messaging on critical issues facing the board and other county leaders, and maintains the local government’s compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
Along with Assistant Director Teresa Bonifas, Goode also assumes leadership of the county’s Communications and Media team, which keeps residents, businesses and visitors engaged via social media, a weekly e-newsletter, podcast, blog, videos, television broadcasts and by disseminating information through media partners, while also collaborating with other county departments on internal and external communications and crafting strategic messaging for county leaders.
Goode, a former news journalist who began his county career in the communications department in 2000, said the merger feels like a homecoming of sorts.
“I’m honored to have this opportunity to bring together two groups whose tremendous talents complement one another so well,” Goode said. “I could not be prouder of what the entire team has accomplished in a relatively short period, and I’m looking forward to working with this outstanding team to continue evolving how we tell Chesterfield’s story and support the county leaders who help write each chapter.”
