City Council - First Ward

Les Veach
Elected to Council: 2008
Term Expires: 2024
Councilor

217 South Washington Street
47 West Jubal Early Drive (Work)
Winchester, VA 22601

(540) 303-6000

Mr. Veach is a local small business owner, operating his State Farm Insurance Agency since 1991. He was elected to the Common Council in 2008 and re-elected in 2012, 2016, and 2020. Mr. Veach was voted Vice-Mayor in 2013 and Vice-President in 2018. Mr. Veach graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering. Mr. Veach lives in Ward 1 with his wife, Sabra, three children, and labradoodle Cocoa.

Council Committees:

  • Public Health & Safety Committee

Community Involvement

  • 2nd generation State Farm Insurance Agent since 1991
  • Local Emergency Planning Committee member
  • 2019 Top of Virginia Regional Chamber's Greater Good Awards - Citizen of the Year nominee
  • Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival - Apple Club Chair, 2009-present
  • Kiwanis Club - Member, 2014-present, Board Member
  • Rotary Club member
  • Child Safe Center Board member
  • Winchester Area Temporary Thermal Shelter Board member
  • Opequon Presbyterian Church - Sunday School Teacher, 2006-2018
  • Exchange Club - Member, 2003-2010 and Treasurer and Exchangite of the Year, 2006-2007
  • Shenandoah University Athletic Association, 2007-2010
  • Top of Virginia Chamber and Chamber Business 2 Business Member
  • Graduated from the City's INSIGHT Citizen's Academy and Winchester Police Department's Citizen Police Academy
Richard Bell
Elected to Council: 2021
Term Expires: 2026
Councilor

119 Peyton Street (Home)
303 S. Loudoun Street (Work)
Winchester, VA  22601

(540) 247-6501

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.

Council Committees:

  • Finance Committee
  • Planning & Economic Development Committee (Chair since 2021)

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, 2021)
  • Winchester City Council Finance Committee and City Council Planning and Economic Development Committee (Chairman since 2021)