Anthony E. "Tony" McDowell

Tony McDowell was appointed executive director of the Opioid Abatement Authority on August 1, 2022. His duties include overall implementation of the Authority’s goals and objectives as determined by the Board of Directors, and distributing opioid abatement funds in accordance with the Code of Virginia. He previously served as Deputy County Manager for Public Safety in Henrico County from 2018-2022, where he played a leadership role in developing Henrico County’s comprehensive strategy to prevent, treat, and support recovery from substance use disorders. He began his career with Henrico as a firefighter/paramedic in 1997 and rose through the ranks to Fire Chief in 2012. Mr. McDowell earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Virginia Tech (1991) and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of North Texas (1995).