Bristol City Council member Becky Nave announced Wednesday that she’s resigning because of a job promotion that will require her to be in Richmond more and involve a lot of travel.
Nave, who earlier this month completed two stints as city mayor, said she will go from her current job as director of destination development with Virginia Tourism Corp. to a new role as its vice president of partnership marketing.
Her final day as a council member will be Saturday. She won’t start her new job until March 2, but she said she wanted to go ahead and announce she’s leaving to give council time to appoint her replacement, as it starts the annual budget process soon.
Council is also in the midst of a search for a new city manager and separate city attorney. Longtime City Manager Randy Eads, who also served as city attorney, announced his resignation, effective Jan. 14. He left to serve as general counsel for new state Attorney General Jay Jones.
In her new role, Nave said she will oversee the tourism corporation’s partnership marketing department, which includes the destination development managers, its grants program and the tourism development financing program.
A Bristol native, Nave said serving on council has been one of the “greatest honors” of her life.
She was appointed to council in July 2021, replacing former member Kevin Mumpower, who also resigned because of a new job. She was elected to the seat in November 2024, when she ran with no opposition.
Her service came during a time of many challenges, like the ongoing odor issues at the closed quarry landfill, which contributed to its high debt and financial woes. So far, the city has invested about $32 million on landfill-related projects, while future landfill closing and compliance costs are expected to total an additional $79 million.
The city is also in a negative net position of about $82 million, meaning its total liabilities exceed total assets. Still, Nave said financial improvements have been made, including getting several increases in the city’s credit rating.
During her nearly five years on council, there was also exciting growth, including the opening of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Virginia’s first casino, which she described as the largest economic development project in the city’s history.
She also pointed to the opening of the city’s first new school in 50 years, Virginia Intermediate School, in August 2024.
One highlight that she’s especially proud of was council’s focus on “strengthening our public safety by raising pay for our police and fire,” she said, adding that the police department is fully staffed for the first time in more than a decade and it now has a waiting list of prospective candidates.
Police Chief Byron Ashbrook became the city’s next police chief in January 2025, and Nave said it was a strong hire. She’s also happy that the city promoted a 25-year veteran of the fire department to be its next fire chief. The hiring of Stacy Farley was announced during Tuesday’s city council meeting.
Nave said she’s excited about her new position and “so grateful to have had the opportunity to serve the city. I was born and raised in Bristol and will continue, no matter where I’m at, to cheer Bristol on and be a huge supporter. I want to see Bristol be successful.”
Mayor Jake Holmes said Wednesday that those interested in filling Nave’s seat will be asked to submit an application, and then the candidates will be asked questions during an open meeting. The list will be whittled down and interviews will be done in closed sessions. The person chosen will serve the remainder of her four-year term. The election for that seat will be in November 2028.
Holmes, who served as vice mayor when Nave was mayor, said she’s done a fantastic job as a leader on council. He added that he learned a lot from her and said she has a “big heart” for the city.