2026 SPECIAL SESSION I

ENROLLED

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 2004

Commending William E. Harrell.

Agreed to by the Senate, April 23, 2026

WHEREAS, after a total of 40 years of public service, William E. Harrell of Chesapeake retires as president and chief executive officer of Hampton Roads Transit in 2026; and

WHEREAS, William Harrell previously served as city manager of Chesapeake and in municipal leadership roles in Richmond and Suffolk; and

WHEREAS, William Harrell has led Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) since 2012 to connect Hampton Roads through reliable, safe, efficient, and sustainable transportation solutions in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Portsmouth, and Chesapeake; and

WHEREAS, William Harrell oversaw a $150 million budget, more than 1,000 employees, a fleet of more than 270 buses serving 62 routes, 118 paratransit vehicles, four ferries, and nine rail cars along 7.4 miles of the Commonwealth's only light rail system; and

WHEREAS, during William Harrell's tenure, HRT secured the first-ever dedicated regional funding source created by the Virginia General Assembly in 2020 and implemented the 757 Express, a network of express local and regional bus routes offering 15-minute service frequencies in support of the region's major employers; and

WHEREAS, William Harrell oversaw the launch of the Base Express, a free shuttle bus service for sailors and workers at Naval Station Norfolk, grew the paratransit fleet, created the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center, and introduced OnDemand microtransit, a new ridesharing service; and

WHEREAS, under William Harrell's leadership, HRT expanded the use of technology to enhance operating efficiencies and the customer experience, while building a financially stable, well-managed agency with the resources to invest in a sustainable future; and

WHEREAS, William Harrell actively and successfully worked with the six cities served by HRT to create a regional model for cooperation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That William E. Harrell hereby be commended for his distinguished service to the public as president and chief executive officer of Hampton Roads Transit; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to William E. Harrell as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for his incredible legacy of contributions to the residents of Hampton Roads and the Commonwealth.