Bolster Named Finance Director For Buena Vista

Steve Bolster, former director of fiscal services for Rockbridge County, is returning to the local government workforce, this time as finance director for the city of Buena Vista.

The city announced last week that Bolster would begin his new job on Sept. 11. He comes to Buena Vista from the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission, where he has been a senior planner.

“After an extensive search for Buena Vista’s new finance director, I’m happy to welcome Mr. Bolster to the Buena Vista Family,” said City Manager Jason Tyree. “He has a wealth of experience in municipal finance, budgeting and leadership that will positively guide the city’s fiscal planning and operations. The role of finance director is one of the most important jobs in an organization, and I know Mr. Bolster will be a huge asset to our team.”

Charles Clemmer, Buena Vista’s finance director the past 10 years, stepped down earlier this summer to accept a position of comptroller for the city of Charlottesville. Brittany Strowbridge has been serving as interim finance director.

Bolster worked as director of fiscal services for Rockbridge County for 11 years, stepping down in 2022 to become the business manager for the Central Shenandoah Health District.

A native of Los Angelos, Calif., Bolster holds a master’s degree in public administration from Trident University in Cypress, Calif., and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Mount Olive College in North Carolina.

Bolster served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, retiring in 2011 at the rank of major. His Air Force specialty was financial management and comptroller. He moved to Rockbridge County in 2006 to accept a job as an Air Force ROTC instructor at VMI.

During his time in Rockbridge County, he and his wife Tammy raised three daughters.

“I’m honored to join the city of Buena Vista and excited about the opportunity to serve in the role of finance director,” said Bolster. “I plan to use my years of experience in government finance to assist the city with continuing its momentum of growth into the future.”