Get to Know Me

About

“Leadership, Experience, Commitment“

My name is Richard Bell, and I am seeking your continued support to represent your interest on City Council for the First Ward. My family and I have called Winchester home since 1997. I believe in advancing the City of Winchester through smart community growth, innovative housing solutions, and the enhancement of our educational system. My time serving on the Board of Directors for a variety of organizations including the Winchester-Frederick County Joint Economic Commission, the Top of VA Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Winchester Public School Board has helped me to understand that sustainable progress takes time and effort to create and effectively manage. I am ready to put in that time and effort. It’s time for a change.

– Winchester City School Board (8 years)

– Winchester Green Circle Initiative (23 years)

– Winchester-Frederick County Economic Development Commission (8 years)

– Top of Virginia Regional Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors (8 years)

– Board of Architectural Review (BAR) for City of Winchester (8 years)

– Winchester-Frederick County Industrial Parks Association, (12 years)

– Preservation of Historic Winchester (PHW) board of directors (4 years)

– Winchester City Council (current)

2020 – Present: Winchester City Council – Councilor, First Ward                                                              Planning & Economic Development Committee – Chairman
Finance Committee

2013 – 2020: Winchester City School Board

Successes from my tenure on the School Board:

  • Site selection and development of much needed new John Kerr Elementary School.  Development linked to the extension of Meadowbranch Avenue.
  • Redevelopment of the former JKES site for the Innovation Center for Career and Technical Education focused facility with project based learning focus.
  • Planned redevelopment of the former Frederick Douglass School on N. Kent Street as the future central offices of WPS.
  • Budget management with focus on work force retention through Cost to Compete.
  • Dual language immersive programs at two of our four K-4 schools.
  • Significant federal grant for the other two technology immersive K-4 schools.

2008 – 2009: Winchester Historic District Design Guidelines Review Committee

2001 – 2008: Winchester-Frederick County Economic Development Commission
Vice Chairman 2005-2006
Chairman 2006-2007

2000 – 2008: Board of Architectural Review for City of Winchester
Chairman, 2004 – 2008

2010 – Present: Winchester Green Circle Committee

2008 – 2012: Preservation of Historic Winchester (PHW)
Board of Directors,  2008 – 2012
President, 2011 – 2012

2001 – 2008: Top of Virginia Regional Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors, 2001 – 2008
Chairman, 2008

2001 – 2006: Winchester-Frederick County Industrial Parks Association
Member, 2001 – Present
President, 2002 – 2006

University of Virginia, 1995, Bachelor of Science in Architecture

Minor in Urban and Environmental Planning

Concentration in Historic Preservation.

    U. S. Naval Reserve 1996-2001 – direct commissioned officer rank attained 0-3E Lieutenant

    • Civil Engineer Corps (SeaBees)

    U. S. Navy Active Duty 1979-1987 – enlisted rank attained E-6 First Class Petty Officer.

    • Nuclear Propulsion Training
    • Electrician’s Mate
    • U. S. Navy Dive School

    U.S. Naval Reserves 1987-1996 – enlisted rank attained E-7 Chief Petty Officer.

    • Explosive Ordinance Disposal – Mine Counter Measures