Carpenter will begin his duties as County Administrator effective June 20, 2022, succeeding Manuel “Manny” Alvarez, Jr. who has served as Interim County Administrator since August 2021.
Carpenter is currently the County Administrator for Kershaw County, South Carolina with more than 25 years of local government experience. Carpenter has served as President of the SC Managers, Administrators and Supervisors Association and has been actively involved in his community through Rotary International, Kiwanis and as President of the Boys and Girls Club. He previously led his county to receive the All-America City Award, oversaw the construction of numerous buildings and managed record fund balances as well as effectively used excess fund balances to provide needed capital upgrades for the county.
Carpenter’s career has taken him from urban counties along the I-85 corridor to small rural counties. He has developed a reputation of being community oriented. His endorsements range from the NAACP to the American Legion, and his legacy of community improvements range from new Humane Society animal shelters to new Farmers Markets. He has overseen construction of library buildings, upgrades to county courthouses, educational facilities, recreational complexes, and public works facilities.
In coming to Virginia, Carpenter returns to his family’s roots which trace back several centuries. During a recent visit he noted that Kershaw County is very similar to Goochland in that it is a growing county with a rural agricultural history striving to retain its rural character.
Carpenter’s selection by the Board was unanimous. “Vic’s leadership and expertise will be a tremendous asset as Goochland moves forward implementing the Village Plans, constructing a new Courthouse and Fire Stations, and dealing with growth challenges,” stated Neil Spoonhower, Chair of the Board of Supervisors.
