Richard Bell

Elected to Council: 2021

Term Expires: 2026

Mr. Bell is a downtown business owner and the Chief Executive Office since 2001 of The Adams Companies and principal broker of Adams-Nelson & Associates, Inc., a commercial real estate firm. He also served in the U.S. Navy on active duty from 1979-1987 and the Reserves from 1988-2002. He retired from the U.S. Navy Reserve Civil Engineer Corps (Lieutenant) and is graduate of the University of Virginia with a bachelor’s degree in Architecture and a minor in Urban and Environmental Planning. In January 2023, he was elected as Council Vice-President.

Current Council Committees: 

• Finance Committee
• Planning & Economic Development Committee

Community Involvement:

• Winchester-Frederick County Economic Development Commission, 2001-2008 (Vice Chairman 2005-2006, Chairman 2006-2007)
• Top of Virginia Regional Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, 2001-2008 (Chairman for 2008)
• City of Winchester Board of Architectural Review, 2000-2008 (Chairman 2004-2008)
• Winchester-Frederick County Industrial Parks Association, 2001-2012 (President 2002-2006)
• Preservation of Historic Winchester (PHW) Board of Directors, 2008 – 2012 (President 2011-2012) 
• Winchester Green Circle Committee, 2010-Present 
• Winchester Historic District Design Guidelines Review Committee, 2008-2009
• Winchester City School Board, 2013-2020
• Winchester City Council, Appointed November 2020-Present (term ending December 31, 2026)
• Winchester City Council Finance Committee and City Council Planning and Economic Development Committee (Chairman since 2021)

Voting District Map