2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26105589D

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 23

Offered January 27, 2026

Commending George B. Hayes.

—————

Patrons—Jones and Sturtevant

—————

WHEREAS, George B. Hayes, an accomplished engineer who served as director of the Chesterfield County Department of Utilities for 10 years, retired on January 1, 2026; and

WHEREAS, George Hayes earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Manhattan College in 1992 and worked for some time as a resident engineer at the New York City Department of Environmental Protection; and

WHEREAS, George Hayes moved to the Commonwealth and joined the Henrico County Department of Public Utilities in 1996 and achieved his professional engineer license four years later; and

WHEREAS, George Hayes joined the Chesterfield County Department of Utilities as an assistant utilities director in 2006 and was promoted to director of utilities nine years later; and

WHEREAS, under George Hayes's leadership, the Chesterfield County Department of Utilities safely and reliably provided water and wastewater services to more than 389,000 citizens while remaining one of the only water and wastewater utilities in the country with a triple-A bond rating; and

WHEREAS, George Hayes supported Chesterfield County's future growth by addressing its long-term infrastructure needs, spearheading projects such as a new water treatment plant on the tidal Appomattox River; and

WHEREAS, George Hayes oversaw the implementation of advanced biological nutrient removal upgrades at the Falling Creek and Proctors Creek Wastewater Treatment Plants, which bolstered Chesterfield County's reputation for environmental stewardship and compliance; and

WHEREAS, George Hayes served as the Chesterfield County Department of Utilities' emergency operations center representative and expertly led the department through the water crisis in Richmond in 2025, when the department remained the only large utility in the region with potable water; and

WHEREAS, George Hayes has supported other water and wastewater utilities throughout the Commonwealth through his service with a number of organizations, including the Virginia Association of Municipal Wastewater Agencies, the Virginia Municipal Drinking Water Association, the South Central Wastewater Authority, and the Appomattox River Water Authority; and

WHEREAS, George Hayes received several accolades for his public service and efforts to promote environmental stewardship, including the A. H. Paessler Environmental Stewardship Award from the Virginia Water Environment Association in 2020 and a National Environmental Achievement Award for Utility Leadership from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies in 2022; and

WHEREAS, George Hayes has demonstrated extraordinary professionalism, dedication, and integrity through his service with Chesterfield County, earning the praise and esteem of all Virginians; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That George B. Hayes, director of the Chesterfield County Department of Utilities, hereby be commended on the occasion of his retirement; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to George B. Hayes as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for his contributions to the Commonwealth and best wishes for a joyful and fulfilling retirement.