WHEREAS, Rodney S. Thomas, a dedicated public servant, admirably served the residents of the Rio District of Albemarle County as a member of the Board of Supervisors from 2010 to 2013; and

WHEREAS, a lifelong resident of Charlottesville and Albemarle County and a successful small business owner, Rodney Thomas recognized that the beauty and vitality of Albemarle County is a valuable asset that should be protected for future generations; and

WHEREAS, Rodney Thomas is a graduate of Lane High School, the Certified Planning Commissioner's Program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and the University of Virginia's Thomas C. Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership; and

WHEREAS, Rodney Thomas, president and owner of Charlottesville Press, Inc., worked to make the county a place where small businesses can grow and thrive; he also focused on establishing sound budgeting practices for Albemarle County and the adoption of a zero-based budget; and

WHEREAS, Rodney Thomas served as the representative to the Albemarle County Planning Commission from the Rio District; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure as a member of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, Rodney Thomas was a member of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Agricultural and Forestal Advisory Committee, the Darden Towe Memorial Park Committee, the Albemarle County Fire Rescue Advisory Board, and many other governmental bodies; and

WHEREAS, civic involvement is vitally important to Rodney Thomas; he was chair of the Albemarle County Planning Commission, served on the Piedmont Family YMCA Board of Directors, was president of the Charlottesville Host Lions Club, and was one of the founders of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Virginia; and

WHEREAS, a devoted family man, Rodney Thomas and his wife, Nancy, have two children, Rod and Ashley, and eight grandchildren; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Rodney S. Thomas hereby be commended for admirably serving the residents of the Rio District of Albemarle County as a member of the Board of Supervisors from 2010 to 2013; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Rodney S. Thomas as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect and admiration for his dedicated work on behalf of the citizens and businesses of Albemarle County and the Commonwealth.