Capital District Kiwanis

District Trustee Tom Varner
Biography

om has 20 years of perfect attendance as a member of the Kiwanis Club of Ashland Virginia which he joined in 1985. He has served on the Board of Directors and as chair of several club committees. Beginning in 1991, he became the Club’s Secretary. He has held this position since then with the exception of the one year he served as the Club President. During this period he has edited the Club’s award winning newsletter. 

After serving as Distinguished Lieutenant Governor in 1999 – 2000, he has held several district committee positions. He served as the Chair, Laws and Regulations from 2001 until this year. He has served on the Long Range Planning Committee and has been Chair of the Elections and Credentials committees at the District Convention. Tom has served as the Capital District Foundation Trustee from Division 24 for four years and has been elected by the Division to serve a second term. His favorite duties are those as a Certified Kiwanis Instructor. A carry over from his career, helping people to grow and learn are always important.

 Tom is married to wife Lin and they have two children and three grand children. In addition to Kiwanis, he has been very active in the Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church where he has served on the board and as the Member of the Annual Conference and as a Lay Speaker. 

Professor Emeritus Varner retired from the J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College where he was awarded this prestigious designation. During his 29 years with the college, he taught and also served as the Chair of the Division of Information Systems, Business and Public Service and Provost of the Parham Road Campus. But Tom was always happier as a classroom teacher in the criminal justice program.

 He also served for seven years in the United States Army where he rose to the rank of major before his resignation. During his service Tom was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Air Medal, and Army Commendation Medal. He also is a Master Parachutist and has a Combat Infantryman’s Badge. 

I look forward to serving as a Trustee and see this as the opportunity for the District to turn the corner on membership. The organization will not do it, but the men and women who have agreed to serve on the committees and their chairs will provide unprecedented support to the clubs in this District. We can do it because we will work together as a team.