Brent Mckenzie

Editorial Summary

Brent Mckenzie moved to Virginia Beach at the age of 7 years old with his family. His father brought the family here for a new beginning in 1985 and settled in the Rose Hall section of Virginia Beach where Brent has never left. He was enrolled at Plaza Elementary School, later Plaza Junior High School, and graduated from Green Run High School receiving an advanced diploma in 1995. Brent went on to earn his AS from Tidewater Community College and a BS from Old Dominion University. His father had the greatest impact on his life, teaching him to work hard, to always be honest, and to chase his dreams. These are the values Brent tries to live each and every day by. In November of 2007 Brent returned to Old Dominion University to attend the Career Switcher program and received his teaching license from the Virginia Department of Education. Brent hopes to teach government and social studies in a Hampton Roads public school this fall. For the past two and a half years Brent has worked in the office of the Commissioner of the Revenue for the city of Virginia Beach. He has dedicated each day in the C.O.R. to making a difference in the lives of those he is responsible to serve. Specializing in constituent services, he tackles problems brought to him to help the elderly and disabled apply for personal property tax deductions, assisting our military service men and women receive their tax exemptions, helping citizens with DMV services, and working to ensure that each tax payer receives a proper assessment on their car tax through the unique car tax appeals program. Working for the C.O.R. has taught Brent the importance of responsible government, to be prudent with the tax payer’s dollars, and to serve the public with pride. Taking leave for a few months this past winter Brent had the honor to serve as a Legislative Assistant to Delegate Bobby Mathieson, an experience that was both rewarding and inspiring. He worked with Delegate Mathieson to pass legislation that would protect our children from internet predators, give teachers raises, reform mental health, and pass the state budget. Each day brought new experiences, from meeting with the parents of the students from last years tragedy at Virginia Tech, to meeting a woman who had been the victim of an internet predator. Working for them and for the constituents of Virginia Beach was the most rewarding part of the job. When the legislative session ended in March, Brent returned to the C.O.R. Before working for the City of Virginia Beach Brent worked as the General Manager of a restaurant to pay for college. Working 50 to 60 hours a week and sometimes more while attending classes, Brent truly learned the value of a hard day’s work. Running a small business taught Brent the importance of budgets, meeting payroll, schedules, sales, customer service, and working with others. Employing up to 30 people at any time of varied age and life experience, Brent also learned the struggles of others. He worked hard to empathize with each employee and when problems arose was available to offer help and advice. He tutored his employees, took them on trips, played basketball with them, and always treated each and every one fairly. Brent’s family instilled in him the importance of being part of the conversation, to be informed, and to always give back to the Virginia Beach community, which they love. Brent’s community service projects over the years include: • Organized fundraisers for the March of Dimes • Organized a fundraiser for the American Red Cross disaster relief fund after the September 11th attacks • Little League baseball coach • Graduate of the Virginia Beach Leadership Institute • Has been accepted into the University of Virginia Sorensen program for Political leadership • Current member of the Virginia Beach Education Foundation • Current member of the Green Run Home Owner’s Association • Volunteered for Prevent Child Abuse Hampton Roads • Helped organize Virginia Beach Safe Kids Day 2008 • Team organizer for the Relay for Life American Cancer Society