Al Wiggins, Jr. has been appointed as the new Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Operations for the City of Richmond. Wiggins brings over 22 years of experience in city and county government roles and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Before joining Richmond, Wiggins served as Senior Advisor to the Chief Operating Officer for the City of Atlanta. In that position, he managed major operational projects such as preparations for the 2026 World Cup and compliance efforts related to Atlanta’s $750 million Moving Atlanta Forward infrastructure initiative.
Wiggins’ leadership in Atlanta included serving as Commissioner of the Department of Public Works during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he led more than 550 employees and managed a $100 million budget. He implemented measures like real-time fleet tracking, a centralized command center to improve responsiveness, and quality assurance practices aimed at reducing waste and validating service delivery. These initiatives were focused on building community trust by addressing blight, responding to residents’ concerns, and ensuring equitable resource deployment.
He was later named Interim Commissioner of the Department of Watershed Management during a period marked by environmental challenges and infrastructure crises. In this role, Wiggins directed emergency responses to water main breaks, launched an AI-driven leak detection program, and helped bring the department back into federal compliance. The department manages a $1.2 billion capital portfolio with a $700 million operations budget and employs more than 1,500 people.
“Mr. Wiggins is an operational Swiss Army knife, a seasoned leader with more than two decades of experience in government operations and public service,” said Odie Donald, Chief Administrative Officer. “His path from exemplary Air Force service to diverse leadership experiences in both cities and counties, and overall knack for service delivery will make him someone the City of Richmond can count on.”
“I am honored to join the City of Richmond and contribute to the Mayor’s vision for a thriving Richmond,” said Wiggins. “Operational excellence is the key to a government that works smoothly and efficiently every single day, and I look forward to partnering with colleagues across the city to deliver the high-quality services that residents deserve.”
“I’m excited to welcome Mr. Wiggins to Richmond,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “His leadership experience, dedication, and service mindset will round out the leadership team and help us strengthen the city’s foundation for a thriving future.”
Wiggins began his public service career as a police officer before moving into code enforcement, public works management, and executive roles throughout metro Atlanta municipalities. His previous positions include City Manager of Forest Park, Georgia—where he eliminated a $1 million budget shortfall—and Deputy City Manager for Chamblee, Georgia—where he led priority-based budgeting efforts.
Wiggins will begin his new role in Richmond on August 28, 2025.
