Meet Ken
Ken Mitchell believes in duty and serving his country. While serving in the armed forces, he was recognized for his exceptional leadership and dedication. His military service taught him to work with diverse teams and strengthened his desire to impact the world and serve his community positively.
Since retiring from the Army, Ken has continued to develop new skills and relationships. With every new experience, he increased his understanding of the problems and opportunities facing our communities and our country.
Ken worked in telecommunications, building broadband systems. Broadband is to the 21st Century what roads and electricity were to the 19th and 20th Centuries – essential infrastructure. Ken observed that large corporations will never put workers before shareholders or serve small, rural communities that don’t return “enough” profit. Workers need laws that support their rights. Rural communities need government investment in new and existing infrastructure.
Ken started a construction company specializing in historic renovation in rural Virginia. He learned to navigate government regulations. Some regulations are crucial to creating public trust in business. Others need to be modified or rescinded. When the housing crisis crashed the economy, Ken was hired to oversee infrastructure renovation at Monticello. He learned to work in and appreciate the non-profit sector.
After Monticello, Ken joined an engineering firm and managed upgrades to water management systems in the 6th District. He worked with contractors and municipalities in Roanoke, Elkton, Augusta County, and Woodstock to protect our rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. Ken learned about the essential role of farmers and rural communities in protecting our environment.
Ken settled in Rockingham County on a small farm with his fiance, Michele Thomas. January 6, 2021, upended his vision of organic farming in retirement.
“If we don’t get back to pragmatic problem solving, mutual respect, and putting country before party, our democracy will not survive. We can do better.”
-Ken Mitchell