Buena Vista City Council Appoints Krystal M. Onaitis as its Next City Manager

For Immediate Release

Buena Vista, VA (July 2026) — The Buena Vista City Council has unanimously appointed Krystal M. Onaitis, MPA, as the City’s next City Manager following a competitive executive recruitment process. The appointment reflects the Council’s commitment to experienced, collaborative leadership focused on advancing the City’s strategic priorities which centers on furthering resiliency and building on existing momentum. “Wayne Handley stepped forward when the city needed steady leadership, and I am grateful for the commitment, professionalism, and service he has provided as Interim City Manager,” said Mayor Jesse Lineberry. “His work helped position Buena Vista for this transition, and the City Council is confident that Krystal Onaitis has the experience and leadership needed to keep moving our community forward. We thank Wayne for answering the call to serve and look forward to working with Krystal as she begins this important role,” he added.

As City Manager, Onaitis will be responsible for implementing the vision of City Council, overseeing day-to-day operations; which includes supervising all department heads, public safety, finances, economic development and major projects along with regional initiatives.

Onaitis has over fifteen years of local government and leadership experience. Throughout her career, she has successfully led organizations through periods of growth and change while strengthening operations, fostering partnerships, and delivering responsive, citizen-focused government services that meet both local and regional needs.

Most recently, she served as Deputy County Administrator for Goochland County, where she provided executive oversight of Community Development, Utilities, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, and other county operations while leading strategic initiatives and organizational improvements. Prior to joining Goochland County, she served as City Manager for the City of Covington from 2019 to 2022, where she directed all City operations, implemented Council priorities, regional priorities focused on economic development, managed organizational performance, and worked closely with elected officials to advance the City’s long-term goals.

Earlier in her career, Onaitis served in several leadership roles with the City of Richmond, including positions within the Mayor’s Office, the Department of Public Works, and the Office of the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Operations. In those roles, she has developed extensive expertise in local governance administration, strategic planning, budget management, organizational performance, infrastructure planning, economic development, and intergovernmental collaboration.

As a Virginia native, Onaitis earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Public Policy from Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.

“Serving as Interim City Manager has been an honor, and I am grateful for the professionalism and dedication demonstrated each day by our employees as we navigated this transition,” said Wayne Handley, Interim City Manager and former Buena Vista Chief of Police. “Our staff has remained focused on serving our residents and supporting the City Council’s priorities, and I am confident Krystal’s experience, leadership, and collaborative approach will build upon that strong foundation. I look forward to assisting in a seamless transition and seeing Buena Vista continue to move forward.”

“I am humbled by the opportunity to serve a value-based city such as Buena Vista in a region I love. I look forward to bringing my experience and skillset to work with and through the City Council to help realize its vision for the future. I am excited to partner with the Council, staff, community partners, and the citizens of Buena Vista to build upon the City’s successes and continue moving Buena Vista forward. Being part of this new chapter under the leadership of a motivated Council represents a rare opportunity not only to preserve Buena Vista’s unique character, but to help it prosper using its distinct values,” said Onaitis.

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