Salem City Council Press Release: City Council made James L. Chisom Salem’s newest council member during a specially called meeting this afternoon at City Hall. Chisom will fill the position that was vacated by Vice Mayor John Givens on October 24. Chisom will now serve out the remainder of that term, which expires on June 30, 2018. Mayor Randy Foley and his fellow Council members Jane Johnson, Bill Jones and James Martin considered several candidates before selecting Chisom during the closed session portion of today’s meeting The subsequent vote for his appointment was unanimous. “Mr. Chisom’s willingness to serve and his proven track record on both City Council and the Salem School Board made him a top candidate from the start of the process,” says Foley. “He served the city very well during his first appointment and, as a Salem native, he understands our citizens and knows what we need to advance as a city.” Chisom was born and raised in Salem and is a graduate of both Salem High School and Roanoke College. He graduated cum laude from Roanoke College in 1984 with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. He is currently employed as a Senior Vice President-Investments Officer with Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. From 2000 to 2008 he served three terms on the Salem City School Board. He also is active in a number of civic organizations including the Salem and Roanoke YMCAs, the Roanoke Valley Booster Club and he is a member of the President’s Advisory Board at Roanoke College. “As I said during my first appointment on Council, I care deeply about my hometown and being able to give back is very important to me.,” says Chisom. “I am humbled to have been chosen for this position once again and I look forward to great things in the coming months.”
