CHARLES HARTGROVE—New Deputy City Manager, serving in Lynchburg City. Hartgrove was appointed by City Manager Bonnie Svrcek and starts this November. Previously, he worked as the Town Manager in Ashland, Va. Hartgrove’s appointment was made following a national search. According to Svrcek, Hartgrove has more than 18 years of experience in local government management.
“Charles has a proven track record of building successful partnerships with diverse community stakeholders and successfully improving and providing innovative service delivery,” Svrcek said. “His experience, knowledge, and passion for public service will be a great asset to this community, and I am excited that he will be joining our work family.”
TOM COBB—New Vice President and Regional Manager for Appomattox with Bank of the James. Cobb brings more than 20 years of banking experience to the company and was previously employed with The Farmers Bank of Appomattox where he served as Vice President and Indirect Dealer Financing Officer. Cobb is also a graduate of the School of Bank Management at the University of Virginia. J. Patrick Richardson, Senior Vice President and Commercial Banker, said, “As a native of Appomattox, Tom’s banking experience will help continue to build loyalty and deliver banking solutions within the Appomattox community as well as deliver the Bank of the James brand throughout Appomattox.”
NICK KESSLER—New Mortgage Loan Officer with Bank of the James Mortgage, a division of Bank of the James. Kessler brings more than 15 years of financial sales experience to the company and was previously employed with Wells Fargo Bank where he served as a Licensed Personal Banker and with the Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society where he was a Financial Sales Representative. Kessler holds a Virginia Life, Health and Annuity License as well as a FINRA Series 6 & 63.
SAJAL NARAYAN—Named Quality Dealer of District 6 for 2016/2017 by the Virginia Independent Automobile Dealers Association (VIADA). Owner of Best Bet Motor Sales Corp., Narayan is an alumnus of Liberty University’s Business School.
BEN CLARK—Owner and Chief Pilot of 323 Unmanned Flight Services (UFS). Clark has more than 25 years of experience flying unmanned aerial vehicles and is proud to bring his extensive knowledge and passion for the UAV industry to Lynchburg’s newest aerial photography and videography business.
