ABOUT

The Veach family has deep roots in Winchester. Les has lived in our community for nearly 30 years. He met his wife, Sabra (John Handley High School, JHHS, graduate), on a blind date. It was love at first sight (at least for Les). They raised their children, Cassidy, Callie, and Cameron, through the Winchester Public School system, all graduating from JHHS.

During his first visit, in 1972, Les also fell in love at first sight with Winchester. Since 1991, Les has operated a small, successful business, which he quickly moved to Winchester when the opportunity arose. Along with other Winchester citizens, Winchester is home for Les as he lives here, works here, and is heavily involved in our community.

Winchester thrives on the volunteerism of our great citizens, who do and give so much. Passion for the local community launched Les’s desire to give something back and help our great Winchester citizens. Over the past two decades, he has devoted time and resources volunteering with local government and many nonprofit organizations. From teaching youth Sunday school classes to serving as Winchester City Council liaison to the WPS School board, many of Les’s efforts have been focused on helping area youth have better lives and paths for successful futures.

When not volunteering time, Les likes to learn new things. He does this by talking with citizens, reading, gardening, and cooking. He diligently attempts to keep all of his plants alive in his new azalea garden.

Since 2009, Les has worked for you, focusing on residents’ priorities and concerns as your Council representative and will continue STRONG support for citizens in the areas of:

City infrastructure and maintenance to provide housing options for all and to help us get home or to our jobs stress-free
Education for all youth and promoting their earning marketable skills for careers
Improving City communication and citizens’ voices and involvement in decisions
Public safety so all can enjoy their neighbors and City without worry
Low tax rates so citizens can use their funds as they desire
Code enforcement to assure safe living conditions and neighborhoods in which all can take pride
Personal communication with citizens to hear concerns and needs

Les’ Experience and Education:

2009-Present, Winchester City Council:

Council Vice Mayor 2013-2015
Council Vice President 2018
Council Public Works Committee representative 2009
Council liaison with Winchester Public Schools for best education
Member, Strategic Planning Team, Winchester Public Schools 2015
Council representative on VHS tax/PILOT resolution
Council representative speaker at Top of Virginia Regional Chamber Community Leadership Program
Council member on Community Development Committee to implement Community Development Block Grant and other neighborhood and affordable housing strategies and policies
Graduated Winchester City Insight Academy and Winchester Policy Department’s Citizen Police Academy
Attend North and South End Citizens Group meetings to best understand citizens’ needs
Speaker at U.S. Government and other classes at JHHS and DMMS, LFCC Business class, City Insight Academy classes
Attended and spoke at many ribbon cuttings welcoming businesses to area (Best Buy, Dick’s, Firefly, Keller Williams Realty, 50th anniversary of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, etc.)

1991-present – Small business owner: Les Veach – State Farm Insurance Agency

Sponsored many nonprofit events including Boy Scouts Fashion Show fundraiser, Toys for Tots dropoff site, numerous golf charity fundraisers, several local youth teams, etc.; and promoted Lions Club broom sale on site.

Attended leadership class LFCC, leadership classes at University of Virginia Darden School of Business, Business & Education summits, Apple Blossom business luncheons, business symposiums at Shenandoah University.

IBM systems engineer 1984-1991
Master of Science, civil engineering, Carnegie Mellon University 1984
Bachelor’s of Science, chemical engineering, Carnegie Mellon University 1982
Graduate, Petersburg High School (WV) 1978

Les believes in serving our community and that contributing to the success of all of our young people is the foundation of a healthy Winchester community. Over his 25 years living here, he has worked with a number of community organizations to help our youth have better lives and opportunities to move toward success.

Youth Sunday school teacher/leader, Opequon Presbyterian Church
Board member 2003-2010 and treasurer 2005-2010, Winchester Exchange Club
“Exchangite” of the Year 2006-2007. Exchange’s National Project is the prevention of child abuse.

Volunteer and Board Memberships:

Nominee, Top of Virginia Chamber’s Greater Good “Citizen of the Year” Award 2019
Current chairperson, Apple Club 2009-present; Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival 2007-present
President-Elect, Shenandoah University Athletic Association 2007-2010
Member, Winchester Kiwanis Club 2014-present. Kiwanis is dedicated to improving the lives of children by serving the needs of children, such as fighting hunger, improving literacy, and offering guidance.
Board member and volunteer, Child Safe Center/Child Advocacy Center 2019-present. The mission is to promote a child-focused approach to the investigation, prosecution, and treatment of child abuse by providing a safe, child-friendly facility with professional support, education, and advocacy services.
Member, Top of Virginia Chamber and Chamber Business 2 Business

Volunteer at Numerous Local Charities:

Judge, Widget Cup (area High School students’ annual trade-skills competition)
Events, Concern Hot Line
Fundraisers, NW Works
Christmas parades, Lions Club
Christmas bell ringing, Salvation Army
Judge, SPCA pageant fundraiser
Events, Apple Blossom
Game concessions to benefit junior classes, JHHS
Christmas parades and Belle Grove Beer Fest, Middletown
Octoberfest, Friday Night Live, Night of Havana, Winchester downtown events
Business sponsor & volunteer, Kids Voting
Substitute math teacher, Mt. View Christian Academy
Football coach, Winchester Little League

Attended/supported events, including:

Winchester City Employee Appreciation banquets
WPS Teacher convocations
Boy Scout honor dinners
JHHS/Tree City USA tree planting
Top of Virginia Regional Chambers Valor & Greater Good awards
French-Indian War presentations
Hob Nob in the Valley events
Top of Virginia Artisan Trail presentations

The Buzz in the Community is Clear:

1. 11/1/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “Let Les keep working for us.”

2. 11/1/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “Veach a known commodity.”

3. 10/31/2020 Winchester Star Open Forum, “Seeking your vote so I can keep supporting you.”

4. 10/19/2020 Winchester Star Open Forum, “Vote for Veach for great results.”

5. 10/17/2020 Winchester Star Open Forum, “Veach gives me hope.”

6. 10/17/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “If Veach isn’t re-elected, who will step up for us?“

7. 10/17/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “Veach will make sure our voices are heard“

8. 10/17/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “Let’s keep Wiley, Veach working for us“

9. 10/17/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “Middletown mayor supports Veach“

10. 10/16/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “Veach cares, gives back.”

11. 10/16/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “Veach examines issues, doesn’t make rash decisions.”

12. 10/16/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “Veach the candidate of choice.”

13. 10/16/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “Veach welcomes opinions, won’t suppress them.”

14. 10/16/2020 Winchester Star Open Forum, “Veach has MIL’s endorsement.”

15. 10/15/2020 Winchester Star Open Forum, “Veach’s experience too valuable to lose.”

16. 10/15/2020 Winchester Star Open Forum, “Veach will fight for what is right.”

17. 10/15/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “City team needs Veach’s experience.”

18. 10/13/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “Veach values your opinion.”

19. 10/13/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “Veach the commonsense choice.”

20. 10/13/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “Veach about service, results.”

21. 10/13/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “Support Wiley, Stegmaier, Veach“

22. 10/12/2020 Winchester Star Open Forum, “Thank you, Ward I residents, for sharing your time, thoughts“

23. 10/10/2020 Winchester Star Open Forum, “We need Veach on City Council“

24. 10/9/2020 Winchester Star Open Forum, “Veach instrumental in gaining support for Innovation Center“

25. 10/9/2020 Winchester Star Open Forum, “Veach incessantly accomplishes his goals“

26. 10/6/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “Veach won’t go along to get along.”

27. 10/6/2020 Winchester Star Open Forum, “Veach is amazing.”

28. 10/5/2020 Winchester Star Open Forum, “Veach cares about public safety.”

29. 10/5/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “Veach is a standup guy.”

30. 10/3/2020 Winchester Star Open Forum, “Different, difficult times call for experienced leadership.”

31. 10/1/2020 Opinion of John Bishop.

32. 9/28/2020 Winchester Star Open Forum, “Veach: A leader who will always be there for you.”

33. 9/28/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “Veach has proven worthy of our trust.”

34. 9/26/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “Keeping Veach on council a good reason to vote early.”

35. 9//26/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “Veach has our vote.”

36. 9/25/2020 Winchester Star Open Forum, “Veach Embodies Jefferson“

37. 9/24/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “You won’t find a more committed City Council member“

38. 9/23/2020 Winchester Star Open Forum, “Veach’s council seat ain’t broke, no need to fix it.”

39. 9/22/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “Veach best choice to represent First Ward.”

40. 9/21/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “Veach stands with firefighters.”

41. 9/19/2020 Winchester Star Open Forum, “Veach best candidate for Ward 1.”

42. 9/2/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “You can count on Veach to do the right thing.”

43. 8/31/2020 Winchester Star Letter to Editor, “Veach wants housing options for all.”