Rick Boyles – Championing Neighborhoods and Taxpayers in Virginia Beach
Candidate for Re-Election as President of the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations (VBCCO)
Rick Boyles has become the voice of the people in the rooms where Virginia Beach’s important decisions are made. As President of the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations (VBCCO), he has tirelessly advocated for the interests of neighborhoods and taxpayers, ensuring that ordinary citizens are heard at City Hall.
Rick assumed leadership of VBCCO at a time when the organization had fallen silent, and he rebuilt it from the ground up into an active, impactful network of civic leagues across the city. Whether at a city planning retreat or a budget discussion, Rick is there – often as the lone citizen in the room – speaking up for community needs when no one else can. His passion for grassroots advocacy, combined with his proven ability to achieve results, make him the strongest candidate to continue leading VBCCO for another term.
Unmatched Civic Engagement
Rick’s dedication to showing up wherever decisions are being made is unparalleled. He is frequently present at Planning Commission hearings, City Council meetings, and even City Council and Planning Department retreats – places where everyday residents rarely go.
Often he is the only citizen in attendance at these high-level meetings. Rick takes on this responsibility so that neighborhoods always have eyes, ears, and a voice in the process. By attending these sessions, he can raise questions or share community perspectives on the spot, ensuring city leaders remain accountable to the people. His unwavering presence sends a clear message: Virginia Beach’s citizens are paying attention and must be heard in every decision.
Strong Relationships with City Officials
Through persistence and honest dialogue, Rick has earned the respect of Virginia Beach’s elected officials and city staff – and he leverages those relationships to benefit the community. City Council members know Rick as a straight-talking advocate for neighborhoods. He often meets them informally to share real-life stories from civic leagues and to push for solutions to local problems.
Rick also holds regular meetings with key City leaders like Planning Director Kathy Warren and Community Engagement Manager Nancy Bloom to ensure community concerns are heard in planning and outreach decisions. These connections weren’t handed to him; Rick earned his seat at the table by consistently standing up for residents. Now, when VBCCO or any civic league raises an issue, his rapport with City Hall helps ensure officials listen and respond.
Record of Results as VBCCO President
Rick’s record as VBCCO President shows what a determined community advocate can accomplish. When he took over, VBCCO had been nearly inactive, offering little support or voice for local civic leagues. Rick changed that dramatically. He reignited the organization by reaching out to dormant civic leagues and welcoming new ones into the fold, restoring VBCCO as a vibrant coalition of neighborhoods. Under Rick’s leadership, VBCCO has returned to the forefront of community advocacy in Virginia Beach – the Council is once again hosting regular meetings, forums, and training sessions that empower residents to engage with their government. City officials who had almost forgotten about VBCCO now recognize it as a force to be reckoned with, a direct result of Rick’s hard work.
He has not just rebuilt an organization, he has delivered tangible improvements for communities. From pushing for transparency in how city projects are communicated to residents, to organizing grassroots campaigns on issues like safe streets and responsible development, Rick has proven that a revitalized VBCCO can make a difference. His tenure is marked by numerous accomplishments that demonstrate his effectiveness as a voice for the people. Equally, Rick applied his technology expertise to strengthen VBCCO’s internal operations. Drawing on his deep background in IT and cybersecurity – including leading the rollout of an electronic medical records system (Medic/Misys) in his business career – he modernized the Council’s processes and communication tools. These internal improvements made VBCCO run more efficiently and securely, ensuring the organization could support its renewed public advocacy effectively.
Key Achievements Under Rick’s Leadership:
- Revived Civic Participation: Brought dozens of civic leagues back into active involvement with VBCCO after a period of dormancy, giving neighborhoods a united voice again.
- Created Platforms for Dialogue: Established public forums and roundtable meetings where residents and civic league leaders can speak directly with City Council members and planners about community concerns and solutions.
- Stood Up for Communities on Key Issues: Amplified residents’ voices in important city debates – from advocating for stronger flood mitigation efforts to opposing zoning changes that threatened neighborhood character.
- Enhanced Community Communication: Introduced quarterly VBCCO newsletters, social media outreach, and a more informative website to keep every citizen up-to-date on city developments and ways to get involved.
- Empowered Grassroots Leaders: Helped form new civic leagues in under-represented neighborhoods and mentored community volunteers, expanding the network of active, informed residents across Virginia Beach.
Community Roots and Leadership
Rick isn’t just a citywide leader – he’s a neighbor too. His journey in civic activism began at home, leading his own neighborhood civic league and working side by side with fellow residents to solve local problems. From organizing block clean-ups to petitioning for safer street lighting, he has always rolled up his sleeves to improve everyday life for those around him. This hands-on experience grounds Rick’s leadership in the real-world needs of families and homeowners.
As a homeowner himself, Rick knows the pride and concerns that come with putting down roots in Virginia Beach. He and his family live and work in our community, sharing the same hopes for safe, vibrant neighborhoods. As a small business owner, he also understands how city decisions affect local shops, services, and the livelihoods of fellow residents. For over 22 years, Rick owned and operated a technology company, Computer Networks, Inc. and Computer Networks of Roanoke, Inc., which he built from scratch. He also previously started successful ventures in retail and trucking, proving his ability to adapt and excel in different industries. Through these endeavors he gained extensive experience in operations, budgeting, and problem-solving, and he never hesitated to invest his own resources to ensure a venture’s success. This hands-on business experience gives Rick a practical leadership perspective that he brings to his work in the community.
Rick’s life in Virginia Beach – as a resident, a parent, and a business owner – is the foundation of his commitment to public service. He is not an outsider; he is an invested community member who cares deeply and personally about our city’s future.
Continuing the Mission
Rick’s drive to serve is rooted in a genuine, non-partisan commitment to the community. He has always maintained a “taxpayer-first” approach, focusing on solutions that benefit residents rather than any political agenda. Moreover, he often leads by example – contributing personal time and even personal funds to VBCCO projects when needed. This level of dedication has helped re-energize VBCCO and underscores his service-oriented leadership style.
Rick is running for re-election to ensure that VBCCO’s resurgence continues and that the people of Virginia Beach remain heard. In the coming term, he plans to expand the Council’s reach even further, engaging more civic leagues and training more residents to be effective advocates. With major challenges like growth, flooding, and public safety on the horizon, Rick’s community-first leadership will be crucial to making sure neighborhood voices guide the solutions.
As a highly driven leader, Rick is mindful of pacing his efforts to bring others along. He knows that his action-oriented approach can sometimes outpace the consensus process if not managed carefully. To counter this, Rick prioritizes transparency and open communication, making sure to invite input and delegate responsibilities to his team. By moderating his pace and sharing leadership, he avoids any perception of overreach and ensures that VBCCO’s progress is a shared success.
As VBCCO continues to grow, Rick’s combination of business savvy and civic dedication makes him the ideal leader for its next chapter. He is uniquely equipped to broaden the Council’s membership, modernize its systems, and engage City Hall on complex issues – all while keeping the focus on neighborhoods and taxpayers.
Re-electing Rick Boyles as VBCCO President means keeping a passionate advocate at the helm – someone who has proven he will show up, speak out, and get results for the taxpayers and families of Virginia Beach. He has the dedication and vision to keep standing up for all of us, and with your support, he will continue turning community concerns into concrete action.
Rick Boyles
President, Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations (VBCCO)
Candidate for Re-Election as VBCCO President