Dr. Kenneth Cooper Alexander is actively engaged in practical work and scholarly pursuits in leadership, politics, and public service. His scholarship focuses on leadership in diverse settings, with an emphasis on nontraditional forms of leadership and the dynamics of power, influence, and information within leader-follower relationships. 

As a guest columnist and the author of "Persistence: Evelyn Butts and the African American Quest for Full Citizenship and Self-Determination," Dr. Alexander sheds light on the African American struggle for equal rights and self-governance. His work practically applies leadership principles, mobilizing individuals and organizations to address political, social, and civic challenges through adaptive strategies, change-oriented approaches, and collaboration. 

Dr. Alexander began his career as an International Relations teacher at Tidewater Community College and has since become the Chancellor of several career community colleges: Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Centura College, and Tidewater Tech. Additionally, he serves as the president of the family-owned Metropolitan Funeral Service. 

With a distinguished political career, Dr. Alexander has been serving as Norfolk's Mayor since May 2016 and was re-elected in May 2020. Prior to his mayoral role, he served in the Virginia Senate from 2012 to 2016 and in the House of Delegates from 2002 to 2012. 

Dr. Alexander holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Old Dominion University, a master's degree in diplomacy from Norwich University, and a Ph.D. in Leadership and Change from Antioch University. 

Mayor Bobby Dyer was elected Mayor in November 2018 and was re-elected in November 2020 and again in November 2024.

He is the first Veteran and the first Ph.D. to be elected Mayor of Virginia Beach.
Previously, he served on the City Council, where he was first elected in 2004 and re-elected three times.
 

Mayor Dyer served his country as a United States Marine until 1972. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from St. Louis University, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Regent University.
 

Mayor Dyer safely reopened our beaches within two months of being shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic by the Governor. He also helped keep businesses open by changing regulations and restrictions and helped Virginia Beach’s economy rebound better than any city in the nation.
Mayor Dyer served as Assistant Dean and Assistant Professor with the Regent University School of Government, as well as an Assistant Professor with Hampton University, an Instructor at Old Dominion University and an Adjunct Professor at South University.
 

Mayor Bobby Dyer is a former home care physical therapist and also served on the New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapists and worked in various roles in numerous hospitals and medical centers prior to moving to Virginia.

Mayor Dyer was recognized as one of the top Mayors in the United States by Newsmax and was one of the first Mayors to oppose defunding police.   Virginia Beach is among the safest large cities in the United States.

Bobby and his wife, Trish, reside in the Lake Christopher section of the Centerville District in Virginia Beach, where they have two children and four grandchildren. ​