The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors is expected to appoint LeQuan M. Hylton, Ph.D., as the interim supervisor for the Dale District following the death of James M. “Jim” Holland, who served five terms in the position.
The appointment is scheduled to take place during a special meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 6 p.m. at the Historic 1917 Courthouse on Iron Bridge Road. Dr. Hylton is anticipated to be sworn in immediately after his appointment, with a reception to follow at the Chesterfield County Administration Building.
Board Chair and Bermuda District Supervisor Jim Ingle stated, “As a board, we are coalescing around one of Jim Holland’s last wishes that Dr. Hylton be appointed to the interim Dale District seat. Dr. Hylton has served admirably on the Planning Commission, demonstrating his commitment to continuing Jim Holland’s legacy and brand of selfless service to the district and county.”
Board Vice Chair and Midlothian District Supervisor Mark S. Miller, Ph.D., added, “We are thankful for Dr. Hylton’s willingness to take on a critical role such as this, which ensures consistent, uninterrupted representation for the residents of Jim’s beloved Dale District. Our dear colleague and friend knew the board’s work must continue, and he recommended someone he knew would put the community first.”
Dr. Hylton has lived in Chesterfield County since 1998 and graduated from Manchester High School before earning degrees from Virginia State University (business management), Averett University (MBA), and Virginia Commonwealth University (Ph.D. in public policy and administration). He is also a combat veteran of Afghanistan and currently serves as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.
He co-founded Hylton & Company, a real estate and construction firm, with his wife Dr. Nelda Hylton; they have three daughters—two of whom attend Chesterfield County Public Schools.
Clover Hill District Supervisor Jessica Schneider commented on Dr. Hylton’s qualifications: “Dr. Hylton’s years of service helping make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors through his work on the Planning Commission make him uniquely qualified for the role,” she said. “Those skills are very applicable to the work we do as a board and will be important as Dr. Hylton helps us navigate the year ahead without our longest-tenured member in Jim Holland.”
Matoaca District Supervisor Kevin Carroll said: “Appointing someone who had worked closely with Jim makes sense and ensures that Jim’s vision for the Dale District and beyond continues to influence the important work we do as a board and as a local government,” he said. “Even in his passing, Jim was thinking of his community’s future. We’re looking forward to welcoming and working alongside Dr. Hylton.”
A special election next November will determine who will serve out Mr. Holland’s remaining four-year term.
Chesterfield County Public Schools enrolled more than 64,000 students during the 2023-24 school year according to state data (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home). Among these schools, Thomas Dale High School had over 2,500 students enrolled during that period (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home). The student population included approximately 43% white students—over 27,000—and about 26% Black students—more than 16,600 (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home). Total enrollment increased by nearly one percent compared with last year (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home). For pre-kindergarten education specifically within Chesterfield County schools during this period, Chester Early Childhood Learning Academy accounted for about forty percent of all pre-kindergarten enrollments locally (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home).
