2026 SPECIAL SESSION I
ENROLLED
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2160
Commending Vonda K. Chappell.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, June 22, 2026
WHEREAS, Vonda K. Chappell, a distinguished attorney, civic leader, and community advocate, who has greatly served many families, organizations, and businesses of Chesapeake over the past 30 years, was selected as the 2026 First Citizen of Chesapeake; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach, Vonda Chappell earned degrees from Old Dominion University and Regent University School of Law, where she was editor of the Regent University Law Review; and
WHEREAS, Vonda Chappell has been an attorney with Kaufman & Canoles, P.C., since 2001 and is a managing member of the firm's Chesapeake office and chair of its membership development committee; she has received several consecutive Best Lawyers in America accolades in recognition of her efforts on behalf of her clients; and
WHEREAS, Vonda Chappell has demonstrated a deep commitment to servant leadership as a Rotarian, serving as president of the Chesapeake Rotary Club and on the board of the Chesapeake Rotary Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Vonda Chappell has given generously of her time to support a number of charitable initiatives benefiting Chesapeake, including as co-chair of the Chesapeake First Citizen Banquet Planning Committee since 2010, as a volunteer for the Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade, and as a member of the executive committee for the Chesapeake Virginia Wine Festival; and
WHEREAS, Vonda Chappell has promoted economic growth and prosperity in Chesapeake through her service with the Chesapeake Economic Development Authority, the Chesapeake Land Bank Authority, TowneBank's Chesapeake Board, the Chesapeake Division of the Hampton Roads Chamber, and the Chesapeake Regional Healthcare Authority, and has also made an impact through her involvement with a variety of professional and community organizations throughout Hampton Roads; and