Today, The Falls Church City Council announced Thursday that it has selected Seth Hendler-Voss to serve as the next city manager of the City of Falls Church. The announcement comes ahead of the Council’s official vote on the appointment Monday, Aug. 24. Hendler-Voss was selected following a five-month national search that began after longtime City Manager Wyatt Shields announced March 24 that he plans to retire after 23 years leading the Falls Church city government. The Council hired Raftelis to conduct the recruitment process, which included focus groups and input from City staff and members of the community in developing the job description. More than 80 candidates applied for the position, with Hendler-Voss ultimately emerging as the finalist following input from the Council, community members and City staff. “Seth Hendler-Voss brings a remarkable depth of local government experience and a real passion for community to the City of Falls Church,” Mayor Letty Hardi said. “We conducted a thorough search and had the privilege of considering a strong field of candidates.” Hardi said Hendler-Voss stood out for “his ability to embrace growth while building on a sense of place that makes a city special.” “His collaborative leadership and proven record of turning ideas into results make him an excellent fit for The Little City,” Hardi said. “We’re delighted to welcome Seth and his family to Falls Church.” Hendler-Voss brings 20 years of public service experience in Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia. His previous positions include town manager of Canton, N.C.; director of parks and recreation for Prince William County, Va.; planning manager and principal landscape architect for Asheville, N.C.; and principal landscape architect for Atlanta, Ga. During his public- and private-sector career, Hendler-Voss has worked on a range of municipal issues, including traffic calming, streetscape revitalization, deferred infrastructure maintenance, utility modernization, climate resiliency and low-impact development. His experience also includes urban home repair programs for low-income seniors, programs serving underserved neighborhoods, advocacy for anti-predatory lending legislation and management of a rural home repair program. Hendler-Voss holds degrees from Penn State University and Western Carolina University and is a graduate of the University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center’s Senior Executive Institute.   The community is invited to the Council’s vote during a special session at 6 p.m. on Monday, August 24, 2026 in Council Chambers followed by a reception in the City Hall foyer. The special session precedes the regular Council Work Session at 7:30 p.m.