Preston Bryant’s political star his risen a bit higher. The Lynchburg native has parlayed his experience with the administration of Gov. Timothy M. Kaine into an appointment by President Barack Obama as chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission in Washington.
Kaine announced the president’s choice last week of Bryant, who is Virginia’s secretary of natural resources and who will continue to hold that position. In making the announcement, Kaine was effusive in his praise of the work Bryant has done for his administration. He said Bryant’s efforts made him eminently qualified for the post, which is an unpaid position.
“Secretary Bryant’s work in my administration and his private-sector experience make him an ideal choice to chair the commission,” the governor said. “I’m sure he will bring the same dedication, creativity and hard work to this job that he demonstrated while serving the people of Virginia.”
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The planning commission oversees federal lands and buildings in the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia. The commission’s duties include environmental studies, stewardship for historical buildings, conserving open space and parks and planning new memorials, monuments and museums.
Bryant reflected on the importance of the presidential appointment when he said, “Anytime the president of the United States asks you to serve in some capacity, it is certainly an honor,” he said. “I’m grateful to President Obama for asking me to chair the commission.”
Kaine pointed out that Bryant’s experience in his administration meshes nicely with the duties of the federal commission chairman. He said Bryant oversees Virginia’s six environmental, historical and wildlife agencies, including the state park system and natural history museum. He has led the governor’s climate change commission and continues to lead Kaine’s land conservation initiatives to increase the number of acres across Virginia that will be set aside for conservation and protected from development.
For Bryant, a moderate Republican, it has been a steady climb up through the various levels of government, beginning with his election to City Council in the early 1990s. From there, he was elected to the House of Delegates for 10 years, where he focused on legislation improving the environment. Bryant has also been a partner in a Lynchburg-based engineering, surveying and planning firm.
Kaine, a Democrat, asked him to joined his administration in 2006.
Bryant has also played a key role in Lynchburg’s qualifying for about $26 million of federal stimulus money for its combined sewer overflow program this year.
In accepting the federal post, Bryant may be attaching his future to a paid position in the federal government. In any event, he has done well for himself. Lynchburg should be proud of this native son.
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