Linwood Branch has strong Virginia Beach roots.  He is the son of a Naval Academy graduate and veteran of World War II.  Linwood spent summers working at the resort and has long been involved in making it great for residents and visitors.   

 

Linwood is a small business owner and has served Virginia Beach in many capacities, including Chair of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Virginia Beach Division and the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Tax, Fee, and Spending, President of the following groups: Sandler Center Foundation for the Performing Arts, VB Hotel Association, Resort Retailers Association, and VB Police Foundation, board member of the Resort Advisory Commission, United Way, and Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities.  He was selected Outstanding Young Citizen by the Jaycees in 1994 and First Citizen of Virginia Beach in 2007.

 

Linwood ran for City Council in 1992 and served until 2002.  During that time, he supported initiatives such as the Virginia Beach Aquarium, Convention Center, the Amphitheater, Open Space and Agricultural Reserve Programs, and Town Center.  In October of 2021 Linwood was appointed to serve out the unexpired term of Vice Mayor Jim Wood.  He currently serves as Council liaison to the Process Improvement Committee, Bayfront Advisory Committee, Resort Advisory Commission, Atlantic Park Community Development Authority, Advertising Advisory Committee, Open Space Committee and the Virginia Aquarium.

 

Linwood is a graduate of Randolph-Macon College and resides in Virginia Beach with his wife Robin and children Easton and Lindsey.