The Shadow
ALLEGHANY COUNTY, Va. (VR) – During the April 1, 2025, regular meeting of the Alleghany County Board of Supervisors, Board Members unanimously voted to hire Mr. Ken McFadyen as the next County Administrator.
“The Alleghany County Board of Supervisors is pleased to have Ken come on board,” says Matt Garten, Chairman of the Alleghany Board of Supervisors. “With many of the current board initiatives, Ken’s economic development expertise, understanding of public management, knowledge of the region, and his philosophy of regional cooperation will help the county continue to move in the right direction.”
Since 2016, McFadyen, 53, has served as Director of Economic Development in Botetourt County. Ken will assume his role as County Administrator in Alleghany County full-time in early June.
“I want to thank Mr. Garten and the Board of Supervisors for placing confidence in me to serve as County Administrator,” says McFadyen. “I am very much looking forward to working with the Supervisors to achieve our goals in serving the citizens of Alleghany County and I am eager to
get started.”
McFadyen has over 25 years of experience in local government administration and economic development, including seven years as executive director of the Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority, which serves Grayson County, the City of Galax, and Carroll County. He has also held previous positions in North Carolina county and town management.
In 2018, McFadyen served as president of the Virginia Economic Developers Association and has worked closely with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Virginia General Assembly, and previous governors’ administrations. During his tenure in Botetourt County, seven companies have announced their decisions to locate or expand in the county with approximately 1,000 new jobs and $185 million in capital investment. Ken has also been a strong advocate for small businesses, helping them grow and thrive. His work with universal broadband installation and support of remote workers has also been recognized at the state and regional level.
McFadyen earned his master’s in public administration from Appalachian State University, where he also earned his undergraduate degree in history. He is an Eagle Scout and former Rotary club president. His wife Melanie graduated from the University of Virginia and is the Town Manager in Fincastle. The couple has a daughter Sara, 18, and son Conor, 16. Ken’s hobbies include hiking, camping, and photography.
