Richard E. Railey, Jr. (Vice Chair)

I was born in rural Southampton County and except for college and law school I have never left. I am a product of a strong family, my education, and the rural countryside where the traditions of hunting, fishing and overall respect for our environment are fundamental. My education comes from Southampton High School, The University of Virginia, Cumberland School of Law, and a lifetime of experience as a hunter, fisherman, and country lawyer.

Politically, I have always been active in issues that affect the outdoors in general, hunting and fishing in particular, the legal profession, and my community.

I started deer hunting with dogs at age 11 and during high school I was also a devoted rabbit hunter.

All of my family, including my wife and two sons, are devoted to the type of rural nurturing afforded by Southampton County. My wife is not a hunter and only somewhat of a fisher, but she is absolutely fantastic in the encouragement that she offers to my boys and to me in our wildlife pursuits.

I am a member of two of the oldest deer dog hunting clubs in Virginia - Davis-Ridley Hunt Club, LLC and Manry Hunt Club, LLC - and continue to work tirelessly for the preservation of our sport and our way of life.

My service on the Board of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries affords me the unique opportunity to apply my legal skills to the preservation of the environment and the great Virginia traditions of hunting and fishing.