randy as a candidate
MEET RANDY SMITH
Randy Smith was born in Okinawa, Japan and raised in Richmond, Virginia where he attended public schools and graduated from Henrico High School. In addition to his school work, Randy always had a part-time job (or two) and continued working his way through college on nuclear submarines at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard through a Cooperative Education program. Upon receiving his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech, he was recruited to B&W Nuclear Technologies (now Framatome) where he worked for 3 years in Alabama and 14 years in Lynchburg.
During his brief time in Alabama, he met his wife, Jeanell. They moved to Lynchburg and started a family. Their daughter, Sophie, was born at Virginia Baptist Hospital and attended Bedford Hills Elementary, Linkhorne Middle School, and EC Glass High School. Lynchburg, and Ward 1 in particular, has been home to the Smith family for 30 years.
Ultimately Randy’s working class upbringing and blue collar sensibilities led him to switch gears in 2008 — he worked construction, renovating and remodeling homes. During this time, Randy developed his deep appreciation for work in the trades and its great potential to provide long lasting, stable, well-paying jobs for those who are not financially able or interested in the college career path.
Soon after, Randy started his own business – Hill City Hardwoods – a woodshop that sells lumber to other woodworkers. His second business, The Craft Crucible, provides space to other artisans trying to turn their craft into a career. Randy continues to operate both businesses, and more than 10 small businesses are directly supported by the shop space and surrounding buildings.
With a heart for the working class — folks who may not have time, extra resources, or a sense of belonging — Randy helps where he can. He has partnered with local nonprofits to help neighbors secure better housing. Art, previously limited to the downtown area, has been placed in the most unlikely of places. He added large murals to his commercial building on Thurman Avenue and developed an outdoor art gallery on Fort Avenue.
Randy will expand this community building effort at the citywide level. On Lynchburg’s City Council, he will continue to roll up his sleeves and do the hard work of creating a better Lynchburg for everyone.