Meet the City Staff

Mark Whitley, Assistant City Manager

Mr. Whitley is directly responsible for the oversight of the Human Resources, Finance, and Budget departments for the City.

Mr. Whitley joined the City in November 2004, after serving as Director of Municipal Services in South Hill, Virginia. He received a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Georgia. Originally from eastern North Carolina, he is married to his lovely wife Berkeley and blessed with two wonderful daughters. Email Mr. Whitley

Doug Fawcett, Assistant City Manager

In January 2017 City Manager Tim Baroody named Mr. Doug Fawcett as the newest Assistant City Manager. Mr. Fawcett previously was the City's Director of Public Works since joining the City in 1997. He oversees the departments of Public Works, Public Facilities, Parks, Recreation & Events, and FREDericksburg Regional Transit as well as all City capital and transportation projects.

Mr. Fawcett's local government career includes service as a department director, City Manager and County Administrator in a total of five communities in West Virginia and Virginia over a thirty nine year period. He is a graduate of West Virginia University and of the Senior Executive Institute at the University of Virginia. In his spare time, he is a runner, golfer and local high school football official. Email Mr. Fawcett

Deidre Jett, Budget Manager

Deidre joined the City Manager's Office as Budget Manager in August of 2015. The Budget Manager prepares the annual operating and capital budget for review by the City Manager and adoption by City Council.

Mrs. Jett is a member of the Government Finance Officers Association. She holds a Master of Public Administration Degree from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and a Bachelor's degree in Urban Studies from Cleveland State University.

Throughout her career she has served in various public finance roles. Prior to joining the City she was a Program Manager at the Commonwealth of Virginia's Department of the Treasury Debt Division. Other public sector roles include finance and capital budgeting in local governments in Virginia and Ohio. Her career also includes experience in the private sector as an analyst at a rating agency and investment banking. She is pleased to use her knowledge and experience in service to the City. Email Ms. Jett

Brenda Martin, Special Assistant to the City Manager and Deputy Clerk of Council

Ms. Martin serves as the City Manager's Special Assistant, and Deputy Clerk of Council. She also works with the various Sister Cities that have partnered with the City.  She has been a member of the City family since 1997. She obtained her Bachelor's of Science degree in Health Education from George Mason University. Email Ms. Martin

Sonja Cantu, Public Information Officer

Sonja works to facilitate the communication of information internally and externally for the City of Fredericksburg. Her duties include working with all city departments to help deliver accurate and timely information to the public. She first joined the City with the Parks and Recreation Department in 1991 and has served in several positions working with the public since that time. A graduate of Mary Washington College, she’s passionate about arts, communications, her family and this city. Email Mrs. Cantu