Bremseth takes the reins as Purcellville’s Interim Town Manager

By Valerie Cury

On Tuesday, June 6, the Purcellville Town Council voted to appoint Loren R. “Rick” Bremseth as the town’s Interim Town Manager. Bremseth, a former resident of Purcellville, lives in Round Hill with his wife, Marlena, a retired college professor who served as Campaign Finance Manager for former Mayor Kwasi Fraser. They have two grown children.

After commanding SEAL Team EIGHT, Bremseth served as Deputy Commander, Combined/Joint Special Operations Task Force, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and as Deputy Commander, Special Operations Command – PACIFIC (SOCPAC).  While at SOCPAC, Bremseth also commanded the Joint Special Operations Task Force, Operation Enduring Freedom in the Philippines.  From 2003 to 2005, he served his major command tour at Naval Special Warfare Group THREE in Coronado, California.  

Bremseth’s military awards include Legions of Merit, Defense Superior Service Medal and associated joint, unit, and campaign awards and decorations from the Department of Defense and the Department of the Navy.

In 2006, Bremseth retired from the Navy after almost 30 years of service. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside, and a Master of Science degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Marine Corps War College at Quantico.

Bremseth possesses over 34 years of experience in all aspects of Special Operations and the interagency domain. According to his resume, he is a “team builder with well-established performance in strategic and operational level planning” … with an ability to “transition operational concepts into executable plans and policy.”

Bremseth assumed his position as Interim Town Manager on June 26.

In a June 5 parting email to the town council – after his abrupt resignation letter on May 24 right after he found out he didn’t advance to the next level for permanent town manager, then Interim Town Manager Glen T. Adams wrote, “I want to thank you all again for the amazing opportunity to serve as your Interim Town Manager …  It was disappointing that I was not afforded the opportunity to move forward [for consideration for the permanent position of town manager], but I understand why; especially with my email being made available to the public … I carry with me mostly fond memories of my time here.”

 He continued, “If you all should decide, I would be willing to continue as the interim town manager from my home in Alabama – I can do the job remotely.”

After three weeks with the Town of Purcellville, he concluded, “I know the staff very well and have the ability to execute the administrative things that keeps [sic] the town moving in a positive direction. I know the background, the budget, and for the most part, the “ins and outs” of the organization. Otherwise, I’ll keep to advising based on the published direction of the Council and Comprehensive Plan.”

On April 11, John Anzivino quit his position as Interim Town Manager. The majority on council clashed with his management style, which favored actions by management and did not take into account the concerns of the majority of the town residents.

He was not pleased that the council majority would not accept the proposed budget without cuts, and did not think any cuts other than changing the town attorney’s position from a full time employee to an firm on retainer should be considered, saying several times that the citizens of Purcellville were wealthy.

Anzivino also expressed his displeasure that the majority on Council did not support the proposed Fields Farm athletic field complex. He wanted council to approve the park and ride proposal even after the county withdrew their agreed upon changes. He also opposed the town council majority vote for the lower water/sewer rates that were one of the options endorsed by Stantec, the town’s utility rate consultant.