At its regular monthly meeting on October 14, Middleburg's Town Council unanimously approved the hiring of former Purcellville Director of Planning and Zoning, Martha Mason Semmes as Town Administrator, effective November 1, 2010.

Semmes is a well-known and popular choice, having served in Middleburg before.

After a four-month search, and a long and serious review of a host of highly qualified applicants, Mayor Betsy Davis signed a tentative agreement with Semmes on October 6, pending Council approval. Though technically an "indefinite" appointment, both parties agreed that it was their "intent" that the arrangement would last until at least October 31, 2013, with annual reconsideration thereafter.

By all accounts Mayor Davis, the Town Council, and the Town's professional staff are very pleased with Semmes decision to return to Middleburg.

She brings with her a county-and-state-wide reputation for energy, efficiency, and over three decades of technical and regulatory experience in land-use planning, historic preservation, and environmental protection.

She has served in both the public and private sector, beginning in 1977 with the Northern Virginia Planning District.

From 1984 to 1988, she was Leesburg's Director of Planning, Zoning & Development.

For nearly six years she presided over Purcellville's unprecedented growth and expansion as Director of Planning and Zoning.

With an undergraduate degree from Duke University and a master's from the University of North Carolina, she is also, reportedly, a master of handling intense rivalry and competition.