Local Assistance Division
Local Partnership Team
Overview
As part of the continued promotion of transportation partnerships between the Virginia Department of Transportation and local governments, the 2005 General Assembly included language in the appropriations act for the agency to establish a Local Partnership Team.
The primary responsibility of the team is to provide technical assistance and training opportunities to local government staff administering federally funded transportation projects.
Members
| Name | Responsibility | Functional Division |
| Jennifer DeBruhl | Team leader, Finance/Programming | Local Assistance |
| Doretha Davis | Civil Rights | Civil Rights |
| Stuart Bullock | Compliance/audit | External and Construction Audit |
| Betty Cousins | Construction management/inspection | Scheduling and Contract |
| Jackie Cromwell | Environmental | Environmental |
| Mike Nichols | Operations | Traffic Engineering |
| Bart Thrasher | Project development | Location and Design |
| Les Griggs | Right of Way and utilities | Right of Way and Utilities |
Team Responsibilities
- Provide technical assistance from a statewide perspective to
local government staff overseeing locally administered projects
on specific subject area
- Communicate clearly and work harmoniously with all levels of
management within the department, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), local governments and
the public
- Travel to local government offices to answer technical
questions, provide one-on-one training, and share
lessons learned and best practices
- Offer guidance to assist local staff with resources
available and program level issues
- Coordinate and conduct special work sessions on myriad topics for local governments as a group within VDOT’s nine
construction districts, with an emphasis on local governments’
successful implementation of federal guidelines and the Federal
Highway Administration’s expectation that the department is
responsible for the proper implementation of the federal
program
- Provide guidance to better equip localities for overall
program and project management
Events
Training for Localities
Beyond Compliance: Historic Preservation in Transportation Project Development 
(14 KB)
Highways for LIFE “Innovations” webinars (31 KB)
FHWA-NHI-134081 TCCC Plan Reading (81 KB)
FHWA-NHI-134085 TCCC Incompatibility in Concrete Pavement Systems (85 KB)
National Highway Institute – Training
Project Management Development Program
VDOT is pleased to open courses in our Project Management Development Program to our local partners. This curriculum has been designed in partnership with ESI International and The George Washington University and is designed for professionals who engineer, construct, and maintain transportation infrastructure. Additional information is available in the program catalog. (1 MB)
Courses are offered at a reduced rate for local government staff under VDOT's agreement with ESI International. For more information on this program, please contact Cordelia Starkes in VDOT's Learning Center at 804-786-3861.
Local Technical Assistance Program
The Virginia Local Technical Assistance Program provides technical workshops, seminars, and short courses in the various transportation related topics. These courses are available to local government staff at a minimal charge. The schedule of upcoming workshops and information on registration are available on their website at http://ltap.cts.virginia.edu/index.php.
Resources
For Additional Information
Contact Jennifer DeBruhl at (804) 786-0334 or by e-mail at
Jennifer.DeBruhl@VDOT.virginia.gov
