President's Message: A New Year of Resilience and Connection 

To the VFMA Membership, 

Welcome to 2026. As I sit down to write this first President’s Message of the year, I am struck by how quickly time moves when we are collectively engaged in such vital work. I want to begin by wishing each of you a productive and fulfilling new year. Reflecting on 2025, it was a year of significant progress for the Virginia Floodplain Management Association (VFMA). Together, we navigated complex regulatory shifts and strengthened our community. My hope for the remainder of 2026 is that we continue to build upon that foundation, pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a resilient Commonwealth. 

Honoring Our Leadership

Before we look too far ahead, I must take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to the VFMA Board of Directors. Throughout 2025, this group worked tirelessly to "reinvent" who we are as an organization. We took a hard look at our strategic goals, our digital presence, and our value to you, the members. Their dedication to modernizing our operations and ensuring the VFMA remains the premier voice for water resources in Virginia is truly inspiring. To my fellow board members: thank you for your many strategy calls, your innovative ideas, and your unwavering commitment to our shared vision.

Navigating Interesting Times 

The "floodplain world" in 2025 was anything but quiet. We are living in truly interesting times. Over the past year, we witnessed the continued integration of advanced technology and predictive modeling into our daily workflows, offering us faster and more precise decision-making tools. However, we also faced the sobering reality of intensifying weather patterns that challenge even our most robust infrastructure. From the rollout of updated FEMA guidelines to the local implementation of nature-based solutions, 2025 forced us to be more adaptive than ever. These shifts underscore why our association is so critical: we are the bridge between evolving science and practical, on-the-ground safety.

Celebrating Our Learning Community

Our commitment to professional growth was on full display during the 2025 Fall Webinar Series. The response from our membership was nothing short of tremendous, with record-breaking attendance and vibrant Q&A sessions. I want to extend a deep, personal thank you to our expert speakers who shared their time and wisdom:

• Doug Moseley for his invaluable insights into ASCE Standards.

• Kristin Owen for her leadership and clarity on flood-risk communication.

• Sara Harrington for her deep dive into Hurricane Helene response, recovery, and lessons learned.

• Rob Young for his provocative and necessary critiques of current flood risk strategies.

Speaking of Rob Young, I would be remiss if I didn’t remind you that his contribution to the series isn’t quite finished. Our fourth and final webinar of this series will take place on February 12th. Rob will be presenting a session titled "Nothing We Are Doing to Reduce Flood Risk is Working." It promises to be a challenging, thought-provoking discussion that forces us to look at our profession through a critical lens. If you haven't registered yet, I strongly encourage you to do so on the VFMA portal.

Shaping the Future: Leadership and Committees 

As we look toward the future of the VFMA, we need your voice and your talent. Nominations for open positions on the VFMA Board are now officially open. This is your chance to directly influence the strategic direction of the association. Whether you are an experienced professional looking to give back or a rising star ready to lead, we need your perspective.

If a board position isn't the right fit for you at this moment, please consider joining one of our committees. From Policy and Outreach to Education and Conference Planning, our committees are the engine of the VFMA. Becoming an active participant in a committee is one of the most meaningful ways to contribute to our mission of advancing floodplain management and protecting Virginia's communities. It is through these smaller working groups that our most impactful work—such as legislative white papers and educational toolkits—is born.

Mark Your Calendars: April 23–24, 2026

The highlight of our year is approaching fast. The VFMA Annual Conference will return to its physical home on April 23–24, 2026. I am pleased to announce that the draft program is now available on our website, featuring a diverse array of technical sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities, and registration is officially open! I highly recommend taking advantage of the Early Bird registration discount. By securing your spot early, you not only save on costs but also help our planning committee finalize an exceptional experience for everyone. This conference is more than just a series of presentations; it is our primary opportunity to gather as a community, share "war stories," and solve the complex problems that affect our neighbors across the Commonwealth.

A Community of Purpose

Finally, I want to thank you. Thank you for your continued support and for being part of this community. We are a collection of like-minded folk—engineers, planners, surveyors, and public officials—united by a singular purpose: preserving, conserving, and expanding the knowledge of floodplains in the Commonwealth. Your dedication makes Virginia a safer, more resilient place for everyone.

I look forward to seeing many of you on February 12th and even more of you in person this April.

With gratitude,

Uday Khambhammettu, PE, CFM

President, Virginia Floodplain Management Association (VFMA)