press release

Superintendent of Manassas Park City Schools named VEFP "Planner of the Year"

Dr. Thomas DeBolt has been named the 2009 "Planner of the Year" by the Virginia Educational Facility Planners, a chapter of the CEFPI. The award was presented today at the VEFP's concluding luncheon at their annual conference in Roanoke. The Planner of the Year Award committee unanimously selected Dr. DeBolt over three other distinguished nominees.

The award recognizes achievement realized over the course of a career. Over the last fourteen years, Dr. DeBolt has overseen the complete rebuilding of the City of Manassas Park's school system, with five major construction projects. A visionary thinker and a powerful motivator, Tom has been the driving force behind the remarkable transformational change in facilities improvements, teacher retention and student performance in Manassas Park. Prior to his tenure as Superintendent, Tom was a high school principal in various locations for 23 years. He has brought a principal's mentality to the job of Manassas Park Superintendent of Schools, and has never forgotten that children are what matters most.

As this year's VEFP winner, Tom's nomination will automatically be submitted to the CEFPI's Southeastern regional award competition later this year.

VMDO Architects is proud to have worked in concert with Tom DeBolt over these many years and salutes his selection as 2009 VEFP "Planner of the Year".

VMDO Architects was founded in 1976 and is the youngest firm to receive the T. David Fitz-Gibbon Virginia Architecture Award, the most prestigious honor given by the Virginia Society of American Institute of Architects.

For further information, interview, and photography opportunities in reference to this project and VMDO Architects, please contact William Bishop at 434.296.5684, email at bishop@vmdo.com.