Hemstreet began his post as the new Loudoun County administrator in December. Hemstreet grew up in Northern Virginia, and had previously held management positions with the City of Miami Beach before returning to Virginia.
How did you end up returning to the area?
I was in Miami Beach, I’d been there about nine years … and just got to the point where it was time to do something else. For me, it was kind of a way to come back home and sort of pick up where I left off.
What have you enjoyed since coming back?
I certainly enjoy the people. Nothing against South Florida … but this is home for me.
And the weather?
A lot of people were teasing me about that … because it was a relatively rough winter. I haven’t seen winter in 20 years. I actually think about what [I’m] going to wear each day. You get so used to it in South Florida, you don’t think about that.
How has the county changed?
There are a lot more people. You [still] have that eastern part, where if you are used to living in a suburban environment that’s near everything, you can still do that. But if you drive a few miles you get out into rural areas.
What are your thoughts on balancing taxes and services in what Forbes magazine has ranked as the richest county in the country?
Well, Loudoun County came out as having the highest median [household] income. I think that statistic … has been utilized to present something that I don’t think is reality.
How so?
I think if you walk the street, and you talk to folks that live here, they would certainly not tell you that they’re wealthy or that they’re rich. You have a lot of people who have good, well-paying jobs who are professionals, but they’re family people who have to go to work every day. — David Sherfinski
