2016 Profiles in Courage -
Executive Director
Roanoke Area United Way
Kim Adkins comes from a humble background. She was born and raised in Salisbury, Maryland by parents who owned and operated an auto body shop where she worked on weekends starting as early as she can remember.
Kim was the first in her family to graduate college. While working her way through college, Kim earned her Bachelor of Science in Journalism with a minor in marketing from the University of Maryland. She also recieved a certified publication specialist credential from George Washington University.
In 1991, Kim and her husband, Jeff moved to Jeff's hometown of Martinsville, Virginia, where she became active in the community. She is the former President of the Martinsville-HenryCounty Chamber of Commerce, a position she held for nine years; and Executive Director of the region's Workforce Investment Board for five years. She has OYer 20 years of executive experience in marketing communications.
Kim served as chair of the Martinsville Planning Commission and member of the West Piedmont Planning District Commission for many years.She completed the Virginia Certified Planning Commissioners Program.
In 2010, Kim was elected to Martinsville City Council; and at the council's organizational meeting, she was elected Mayor.She was elected Mayor immediately after being sworn in as a first-term council m ember. She is only the second woman to be Mayor of Martinsville and was re-elected on Mayor January 2, 2013.
After two terms as Mayor, Kim did not seek re-election as she announced her candidacy for Virginia Senate, challenging the incumbent, Bill Stanley. Her term on City Council ended on December 31, 2014. Kim was unsuccessful in her challenge, but put up a good fight with nearly 1,500 contributors, raising more than $400,000.
Kim is still politically active as amember of the Martinsville-Henry County Democratic and the 9thCongressional District committees.
In early 2013, Adkins launched her own marketing communications firm, KEA Consulting Services, LLC. She now fulfills her desires to help others as Executive Director of the area's United Way, a position she accepted on August 25, 2016.
Kim is a graduate of the Sorensen Institue for Political Leadership and Candidate Training programs at the Cniversity of Virginia in 2007 and 2010 respectively; and a graduate of Emerge Virginia.
Kim and Jeff have been married for 28 years and have two children, Jack and Claire.