Middleburg Town Administrator Announces Plan to Retire

Middleburg Town Administrator Martha Mason Semmes recently informed the Mayor and Town Council of her plan to retire at the end of the calendar year. Semmes will have been in her position for over eight years by then and will have served in local government for over 25 years. This early announcement was intended to allow the Town time to hire her replacement prior to her leaving.

“The opportunity to serve the Town of Middleburg has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Semmes said. “This is a special community that has done an exceptional job of preserving its historic, small town character and of promoting the preservation of the beautiful countryside in which it lies, while always looking to enhance the quality of life of its citizens. As much as I have enjoyed being part of the Town’s progress over the years, I am looking forward to retirement and possible part-time work assignments that will allow me to travel and spend more time with family and friends.”

“It has been a pleasure and an honor to have worked with Martha,” said outgoing Mayor Betsy Allen Davis. “Her dedication and strong work ethics have been valuable assets to our Town and to me personally. I am so very thankful to have had her ‘by my side’ to help guide me and our Town to where we are today. It is with sincere gratitude that I wish Martha the very best in her retirement and any future endeavors she may take on!”

Semmes started as Town Administrator in November 2010 and, during her tenure, saw the opening of the Salamander Resort & Spa, the commissioning of new wastewater and water treatment facilities and wells, the completion of pedestrian safety improvements, the Route 50 Traffic Calming project, multiple utility upgrade projects, and stabilization of the historic Asbury Church. Prior to her current position, Semmes served as the Planning Director for the towns of Leesburg and Purcellville and in the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development. Semmes also served as Middleburg’s Town Planner/Zoning Administrator back in the late 1990’s.

Mayor Trowbridge “Bridge” Littleton added, “Martha has been a true asset to the Town and citizens of Middleburg. First as our Town Planner/Zoning Administrator and for the last 7 years as our Town Administrator, Martha has served our community tirelessly. She has been the focal point of our Town government and steered us through many changes, such as the opening of the Salamander Resort, the Rt. 50 renovation project and the upgrading of our aged water lines and facilities. While she will not be leaving us for several months, I am grateful to have had the privilege to work with Martha and to have learned so much from her endless knowledge. She will be deeply missed by us on Council and the staff. We wish her all the best for her retirement.”

This story was originially published in Middleburg Life’s July 2018 issue.