Local Government Leaders

Council-Manager Form of Local Government (1920–Present)

City Managers

Wynter C. Benda (2021–)
Reid A. Wodicka, Ph.D., Acting & Interim (2020–2021)
Bonnie Svrcek (2016–2020)
L. Kimball “Kim” Payne, III (2001–2016)
Charles F. “Chuck” Church (1991–2000)
E. Allen “Sonny” Culverhouse (1979–1991)
David B. Norman (1970–1979)
Robert D. Morrison (1949–1970)
R. W. B. Hart (1925–1949)
Edward A. Beck (1920–1925)

Mayors

Larry L. Taylor, Sr. (2025–)
Stephanie T. Reed (2023–2024)
MaryJane Tousignant Dolan (2020–2022)
Treney L. Tweedy (2018–2020) – first African American woman mayor
Joan F. Foster (2016–2018)
Michael Gillette (2012–2016) – first Jewish mayor
Joan F. Foster (2006–2012) – first woman mayor
Carl B. Hutcherson, Jr. (2000–2006)
D. L. “Pete” Warren (1998–2000)
James S. “Jim” Whitaker (1994–1998)
Julian R. Adams (1992–1994)
M. W. Thornhill, Jr. (1990–1992) – first African American mayor
Jimmie B. “Coach” Bryan (1984–1990)
Dr. Elliott L. Shearer (1978–1984)
Dr. Joseph F. Freeman, III (1976–1978)
Leighton B. Dodd (1972–1976)
Frank D. Read (1970–1972)
H. Hamner Gay (1966–1970)
James P. “Jim” Ould, Jr. (1964–1966) – first Republican Party mayor
William C. “Bill” Vaughan (1958–1964)
Rev. John L. Suttenfield (1952–1958)
Jerome V. Morrison (1948–1952)
Clarence G. Burton (1946–1948) – resigned in November 1948 after winning election to House of Representatives (6th Congressional District)
Richard A. Carrington, Jr. (1942–1945) – resigned (succeeded by Lichford)
Lewis E. Lichford (1934–1942 and 1945–1946)
John Victor (1933–1934)
J. Tanner Kinnier (1928–1933) – died in office April 26, 1933
Walker P. Pettyjohn (1924–1928)
Fred Harper (1920–1924) – first mayor under new form of government

City Council Members

Current Council
Larry L. Taylor, Sr. (2023–), Mayor – at-large
Curt Diemer (2025–), Vice Mayor – Ward III
Chris Faraldi (2020–) – Ward IV
Martin J. “Marty” Misjuns (2023–) – at-large
Stephanie T. Reed (2023–) – at-large
Jacqueline Timmer (2025–) – Ward I
Sterling A. Wilder (2016–) – Ward II

Past Members
MaryJane Tousignant Dolan (2016–2024) – Ward I
Jeff S. Helgeson (2004–2024) – Ward III
Frank B. “Beau” Wright (2018–2022) – at-large
Treney L. Tweedy (2014–2022) – at-large – first Black woman elected to City Council
Hunsdon “H” Cary, III (2010–2014) – at-large
J. Randolph “Randy” Nelson (2010–2022) – at-large
Edgar J. Turner Perrow, Jr. (2008–2020) – Ward IV
Dr. T. Scott Garrett (2006–2010) – at-large
Michael Gillette (2004–2016) – Ward I
Ceasor T. Johnson (2004–2016) – Ward II
Joan F. Foster (2002–2018) – at-large
Joseph M. Seiffert (2000–2008) – Ward IV
Bert Dodson, Jr. (1998–2010) – at-large
Stewart Hobbs (1998–2002) – at-large
Edward “Ed” Barksdale, Sr. (1997–2004) – Ward II – appointed by City Council in 1997 to replace Junius Haskins after his unexpected death in office
Carl B. Hutcherson, Jr. (1996–2006) – at-large – first elected to fill vacancy created by Robert Vogel
D. L. “Pete” Warren (1996–2000) – Ward I
Dr. Robert Vogel (1995–1996) – at-large – appointed by City Council to replace Preston Bryant after his election to the Virginia House of Delegates
James “Jim” Whitaker (1992–2000) – Ward IV
Preston Bryant (1994–1995) – at-large – see Robert Vogel above
Robert Garber (1996–2004) – Ward III
Junius A. Haskins, Jr. (1992–1997) – Ward II – see Edward Barksdale above
Bob Davenport (–1998) – at-large
William “Bill” McRorie (–1998) – at-large
James “Jim” Curling (–1996) – Ward III
Larry Carey (–1996) – Ward I

Stephen Newman (1988–1991)
Patricia R. “Pat” Lovern
Jimmie B. “Coach” Bryan (–1990)
Thomas O. Doyle
Julian R. Adams (c.1986–1994 and 2000–2004) – Ward I
Albert Kemper (1983) – appointed to complete Hubert Nash’s term after he died in office
Curtis M. Coward (1978–) – at-large
Joan W. MacCallum (1978–1994) – at large – first woman member of council
Dr. Joseph F. Freeman, III (1976–1992) – first person elected to represent Ward IV
John A. McCormick (1976–1984?) – first person elected to represent Ward III
Hubert Nash (1976–1983) – at-large
George A. Orlicki (1976–1978) – at-large
Dr. Elliott L. Shearer (1976–1984) – first person elected to represent Ward I
M. W. “Teedy” Thornhill, Jr. (1976–1992) – first person elected to represent Ward II
Dr. G. Edward Calvert (1972–1978) – at-large

Pre-Annexation Members
Lynchburg’s unique “hybrid” system of ward and at-large elections was created in response to the 1976 annexation. Prior to 1976 all seats were at-large. Dr. Calvert was the only council member to serve both before and after the 1976 annexation.

Please Note This List Is Not Complete Yet

Vincent Bradford (1974–1976)
R. Frank Duncum (1974–1976)
Samuel W. Green (1972–1976)
Leighton B. Dodd (1970–1976)
C. W. Seay (1970–1976) – first African American member of council since 1880’s
Joseph R. Johnson, Jr. (1968–1974)
Frank D. Read (1968–1974)
Dr. Carroll H. “Cully” Lippard (1968–1972)
Elliot S. Schewel (–1970)
Kenneth L. “Pete” White (1964–1976)
H. Hamner Gay (1964–1972)
James P. “Jim” Ould, Jr. (1962–1968) – first Republican Party member of council in 20th century
William C. “Bill” Vaughan (1956–1964 and 1968–1970)
Abe Cohen (1952–1968)
Edward R. Harris, Jr. (1966–1968)
A. G. Jefferson
Harold G. Leggett
V. Howard Ford (1948–1966)
Richard A. Carrington (1948–)
Percy N. Burton (–1964)
Charles G. Baber (1950–)
Maurice B. Hickson (–1948)
Royston Jester, III (–1950)
Maurice B. Hickson (1942–) – appointed in March 1942 to replace Suttenfield (see below)
Lt. Col. Harry P. Holt (1942–1942) – appointed in February 1942 to replace Craighill (see below)
Thomas J. Williams (1942–)
Jerome V. Morrison (1942–1952)
Clarence G. Burton (1942–1948) – resigned in November 1948 after winning election to House of Representatives (6th Congressional District)
Albert P. Lankford (1940–1952 and 1956–1958)
Richard A. Carrington, Jr. (1940–1945) – resigned
Rev. John L. Suttenfield (1936–1940, +1952–1958+) – resigned in February 1942 to serve as chaplain in U.S. Army in World War II
Charles G. “Carl” Patterson (1934–1942)
Lewis E. Lichford (1934–1946)
Wistar M. Heald (1933, 1934–1942) – appointed in 1933 to replace Kinnier (see below)
Lt. Col. Edley Craighill, Sr. (1934–1942) – resigned in February 1942 to serve in U.S. Army in World War II
Abe M. Schewel (1932–1940)
William T. Jones (1932–1936)
Howell C. Featherson (1930–1934)
Harry R. Brown (1928–1932)
C. L. DeMott (1928–1932)
C. W. Womack (1928–1930) – short term during transition to seven-member council

*City Council was enlarged to seven members in 1928

Paul Fleet (1928–1932) – reelected in June 1932, but resigned in October 1932
Thomas R. Turner (1926–1933+)
J. Tanner Kinnier (1924–1933) – died in office April 26, 1933
John Victor (1924–1934)
John L. Caskie (1924–1928) – appointed in September 1924 to replace Williams (see below)

Inaugural Council (all five ran unopposed in 1920)
Fred Harper (1920–1924) – first mayor in new form of local government
E. E. Menefee (1920–1926)
Peyton B. Winfree (1920–1924) – died in office May 9, 1924
Walker P. Pettyjohn (1920–1928, 1932–1940) – appointed in November 1932 to replace Fleet (see above), reelected in 1936
Ernest Williams (1920–1924) – reelected in June 1924, but resigned in September 1924

Bicameral Form of Local Government (1805–1920)

Mayors

Royston Jester, Jr. (1914–1920) – only 25 years old when elected
George Woodville Smith (1894–1914) – longest serving mayor (20 years) – died in office May 17, 1914
Robert D. “Cap’n Bob” Yancey (1890–1894)
N. C. Manson, Jr. (1884–1890)
Albert H. Pettigrew (1882–1884)
Samuel G. Wingfield (1880–1882)
Samuel A. Bailey (1877–1880)
George H. Burch (1872–1877)
James M. Cobbs (1870–1872)
Albon McDaniel (1869–1870), military appointee (also served in 1824, 1826, and 1828)
William D. Branch (1851–1869)
Seth Halsey (1850) – resigned (succeeded by Henry Didlake)
Henry O. Schoolfield (1848–1849)
Daniel J. Warwick (1847–1848)
Michael Hart (1845–1846)
David W. Burton (1844–1845)
Edwin Mathews (1843–1844 and 1849–1850)
Samuel Nowlin (1840–1841)
Martin W. Davenport (1838–1839)
Pleasant Labby (1836–1837)
Samuel J. Wiatt (1835–1836)
Henry M. Didlake (1834–1835, 1842–1843, 1846–1847, and 1850–1851)
John M. Warwick (1833–1834)
John R. D. Payne (1831–1832 and 1839–1840)
Elijah Fletcher (1830–1831 and 1832–1833)
Ammon Hancock (1829–1830, 1837–1838, and 1841–1842)
Christopher Winfree (1827–1828)
John Victor (1825–1826)
Albon McDaniel (1824–1825, 1826–1827, and 1828–1829) – see above
Thomas A. Holcombe (1823–1824)
John Hancock (1822–1823)
Micajah Davis (1821–1822)
John Thurman (1820–1821)
William Morgan (1818–1819)
John M. Gordon (1816–1817)
Robert Morris (1813–1814)
James Stewart (1812–1813 and 1815–1816, and 1819–1820)
John Schoolfield (1811–1812)
Meredith Lambert (1810–1811)
John Lynch, Jr. (1809–1810)
Samuel Jordan Harrison (1808–1809, 1814–1815, and 1817–1818)
Roderick Taliaferro (1807–1808)
John Wiatt (1806–1807)
William Warwick (1805–1806)

Lynchburg was incorporated as a town by the Virginia General Assembly in 1805.

Special Thanks to Researcher Robert P. “Peck” Merchant