James K. Spore became City Manager in November of 1991. He previously served as City Manager of Garland, Texas and Burnsville, Minnesota. He was Director of Community Development for Lakewood, Colorado and Elgin, Illinois and worked with the Department of Defense as a research analyst. He earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado and both a Bachelor's and a Master's Degree in Urban Planning from the University of Illinois.
Since Spore became City Manager in 1991, Virginia Beach has been recognized as the Best Place to Live in America, one of the top five Best Managed Cities in the Nation, the Most Livable Large City for Women, winner of the U.S. Senate Medallion of Excellence for Productivity and Quality, and the Wall Street Best Run City. He supports and encourages regionalism and serves on the Executive Board of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission.
Under Spore's leadership, economic development activities have soared and tourism has flourished, providing revenue that keeps the tax burden low for citizens. In addition, the City's Striving for Excellence program saves millions in tax dollars annually through quality and productivity efforts. As a result, Virginia Beach has the lowest tax burden in Hampton Roads, triple A bond rating from all three rating agencies, the lowest unemployment rate of the 50 largest metro areas in the United States, and the ninth lowest spending per thousand residents among the 50 largest cities in the nation.
The Virginia Beach Rotary Club selected Jim Spore as the 2004 City Employee of the Year because of his leadership, commitment to excellence and dedication to public service.
Jim is a member of the following organizations: