Calvin L. Washington Sr., an entrepreneur and minister, has announced his candidacy for District 5 seat on the Accomack County Board of Supervisors in the Nov. 7 election.
Washington is a pastor, small business owner, and retired assistant poultry plant manager, and is the moderator for the Eastern Shore Virginia and Maryland Baptist Association and its ministries, overseeing more than 20 churches.
He is a 1981 graduate of Arcadia High School. He and his wife, Lisa, live in Nelsonia.
He and his wife are the the owner-operators of Weegamerz mobile game theater.
Washington also works as a funeral assistant with the Cooper & Humbles Funeral Company in Accomac.
Washington said his experience as a poultry plant manager and pastor has given him a “tightly focused view of the district’s needs.”
Washington said he would be “honored to serve” as a supervisor and feels “obligated to serve” by his sense of commitment to help address some of the community’s needs.
Washington described himself as a servant leader and as an agent of change.
He said that his years as an assistant plant manager for Tyson Foods Inc. in Temperanceville equipped him with many of the necessary skills for membership on the Board of Supervisors.
He said he belived “leadership is built on the premise that the most effective leaders strive to serve others rather than accrue power or garner control.”
By putting the needs of others first, Washington said, “You empower people to perform at their best. When members of the community see your passion and your commitment through your actions, they want to be connected to you.”
Washington said he has a commitment to not just living in District 5 but also being connected to those who reside in District 5.
“I will be bringing to the table good communication skills and the ability to work effectively and collaboratively with others to address the needs of both District 5 and Accomack County.”
Washington said he and his wife’s emphasis on education is demonstrated by two sons.
Their elder son graduated from Virginia State University with a bachelor’s degree in computer technology.
Their younger son is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communications with a focus on journalism at Regent University.
The Eastern Shore Post will print at no cost candidate announcements for county or state elections. The announcements should be no more than 450 words, are subject to editing, and may include a head-and-shoulders photograph. Free announcements will not be accepted after Oct. 1. Email announcements to [email protected].
