Ashland, VA- The Town of Ashland is pleased to announce that Mr. Joseph M. Topham, Jr. has accepted an offer to become the Town’s Business Retention and Expansion Manager. Mr. Topham comes to Ashland from King William where he has served as the Executive Assistant of Operations since 2011. In this role he worked closely with the County’s Economic Development Authority and acted as a liaison between local, state and federal officials and the business community. Serving as Executive Assistant of Operations, Mr. Topham oversaw a number of day-to-day functions for the County and managed public communications in his role as the County’s Public Information Officer.
Prior to serving in King William, Mr. Topham served as District Liaison for Congressman Tom Perriello in Central and Southside Virginia. He is a graduate of VCU’s Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, as well as the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia.
Mr. Topham, a Richmond native, looks forward to working with the vibrant Ashland business community. “I am thrilled to be joining a terrific team here in Ashland,” he said, “I love this town, it is a special place with so much going for it. I am looking forward to working with the business community here in Ashland, and excited about taking on this new role.”
Mr. Topham began his service to the Town of Ashland on May 28th. Please contact Nora Amos, Director of Planning and Community Development, for more information.