Prince William County’s longtime parks director is trading trails, boardwalks, and open space for a desk at City Hall.
Seth Hendler-Voss, who has led Prince William County’s Department of Parks and Recreation since 2017, has been selected as the next city manager of Falls Church. The City Council is scheduled to vote on the appointment Monday evening.
Falls Church announced the selection Thursday following a five-month national search. Current City Manager Wyatt Shields is retiring after 23 years in the role. The search, managed by the firm Raftelis, drew more than 80 candidates and included input from city staff, residents, and Council members.
Mayor Letty Hardi welcomed the choice.
“Seth Hendler-Voss brings a remarkable depth of local government experience and a real passion for community to Falls Church,” Hardi said. “Seth stood out for his ability to embrace growth while building on a sense of place that make a city special. His collaborative leadership and proven record of turning ideas into results make him an excellent fit for The Little City. We’re delighted to welcome Seth and his family to Falls Church.”
Hendler-Voss has spent nearly a decade expanding Prince William’s park system. Under his leadership, the department grew to a combined operating and capital budget of roughly $147 million and about 1,400 employees. He oversaw major capital projects including phases of Catharpin Park, the Neabsco Boardwalk, Rollins Ford Park, Harbor Drive Wellness Park, and new segments of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. The agency added trail mileage, open space, and historic properties while earning national accreditation.
Not every big idea made it across the finish line. A long-discussed indoor sports complex — first floated as part of the 2019 parks bond and later tied to a 22-acre site the county purchased on Telegraph Road in Woodbridge — never broke ground as a county-built facility. Cost concerns shifted the conversation toward a possible public-private partnership as part of a larger mixed-use concept known as The Landing Town Center. The land remains in county hands.
Hendler-Voss previously served as town manager in Canton, North Carolina, and held planning and landscape architecture roles in Asheville and Atlanta. He holds degrees from Penn State and Western Carolina University and is a 2023 graduate of the University of Virginia’s Senior Executive Institute.
The Falls Church City Council will vote on the appointment during a special session at 6 p.m. Monday in Council Chambers. A reception in the City Hall foyer is scheduled afterward. The regular work session begins at 7:30 p.m. The community is invited.
For now, the man who spent years talking about parks, trails, and sense of place is preparing to trade the outdoor office for an indoor one. Monday’s vote will make it official.
