Henrico Fire chief named deputy county manager for public safety
Henrico Fire Chief Jackson P.F. Baynard has been named Henrico County's deputy county manager for public safety, replacing Michael Feinmel, who left the position after nearly four years to return to the Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney's Office as a deputy commonwealth's attorney.
Baynard has served as Henrico’s fire chief since 2023, having joined the Division of Fire as a firefighter in 2003 and rising through its leadership ranks. In addition, he served as Henrico’s emergency manager in 2020 and 2021, helping to lead the county’s initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His appointment as deputy county manager will be effective when a new fire chief is installed.
As deputy county manager for public safety, Baynard will oversee a variety of public safety issues, including the development of a 60-bed recovery center at the Eastern Government Center campus for people struggling with addiction and the county’s implementation of a modern emergency communications system for the region.
Baynard joins an executive staff of County Manager John Vithoulkas that includes Deputy County Manager for Administration Brandon Hinton, Deputy County Manager for Community Affairs Monica Smith-Callahan and Deputy County Manager for Operations Steve Yob.
Baynard holds a bachelor’s degree in health science from James Madison University and a master’s degree in human resource management from the University of Richmond.
