KING GEORGE, Virginia (STPNS) -- By Phyllis Cook

Staff Reporter

The King George Board of Supervisors announced last week at the end of its meeting on January 22 that they had accepted the resignation of Theresa O?Quinn as the county?s Economic Development Director.  

The resignation was effective immediately and followed action by the Board earlier in the meeting for a major economic development project with Harris Teeter, Inc, that O?Quinn had been working on for over a year and half.

It had not previously been announced, but O?Quinn had handed in a letter of resignation in December giving over 30-days notice.  



Her final day on the job was to have been last Wednesday, January 21, but she was still assisting the county at the meeting on January 22 in the Board?s closed session preceding the Board?s announcement that Harris Teeter is expected to purchase 100 acres adjacent to the King George Industrial Park, providing $101M investment and 335 jobs.  

When making the announcement, Supervisor Dale Sisson stated, ?We regretfully want to announce the Board of Supervisors has accepted the resignation of Theresa O?Quinn.  She has accepted another position within Virginia which is more in line with her family goals, we want to thank her for all her service here and wish her all the best.?

Chairman Joe Grzeika told The Journal, ?For the last 18 months, she was dedicated to this thing (Harris Teeter prospect) 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.  It?s one of these extremely bittersweet situations.  She gave 100 percent to King George.?

O?Quinn told The Journal that her spouse currently commutes to a position in Alexandria.  She is taking a position in Prince William, where and they also own a home.  

?My resignation is purely family-focused,? O?Quinn said.  The couple has one son, who will graduate from Mountain View High School this year and they are looking ahead.  

O?Quinn added, ?We are giving consideration to relocating to Northern Virginia.  My new employment simply provides options as my husband and I plan our future.?  

O?Quinn was first hired by King George in March 2006 as Deputy County Administrator.  In December 2007, she was promoted by the Board of Supervisor to Director of Economic Development, so she could devote more of her time to that endeavor.  

County Administrator Travis Quesenberry told The Journal that the county is in the process of advertising for the position.  

He said he expected that applications would be accepted until the position is filled, hopefully within 60 days.  

In the meantime, Quesenberry said he and Deputy Assistant County Administrator/Finance Director Donita Harper will be sharing the economic development duties at no additional pay.