Thomas R. Smigiel Jr.

Thomas R. Smigiel Jr., Ward 5

Phone: 757-664-4293
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Thomas "Tommy" R. Smigiel Jr. was elected to City Council in 2010 and represents Ward 5 (PDF). 

Mr. Smigiel is the principal of Granby High School. Prior to becoming principal, he served as Assistant Principal. He previously served as the principal of the Academy for Discovery at Lakewood. He was recognized as Norfolk Teacher of the Year in 2007 and was notably selected as the 2008 Virginia Teacher of the Year, and one of four finalists for National Teacher of the Year. He taught Earth Science and Leadership at Norview High School and served as Assistant Principal at Lake Taylor High School.

Mr. Smigiel co-chairs the East Little Creek Road Task Force and the Mayor’s Ocean View Task Force.

On October 8, 2019, Mr. Smigiel was elected as the 100th President of the Virginia Municipal League (VML) and served on the 2020-2021 Executive Board as the Immediate Past President. He is also a member of the Old Dominion University Darden College of Education Advisory Committee and served on the YMCA’s Youth Advisory Committee.

A life-long Norfolk resident, he attended St. Pius X Catholic School, graduated from Norview High School, and received a bachelor’s degree in Education from Old Dominion University, where he served as Student Body President. He later earned a master’s degree in administration from Cambridge College.

Mr. Smigiel was honored for his work in education with the 2009 Old Dominion University Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2015, he was recognized by Inside Business as a Top 40 Under 40 Leader in Hampton Roads.

He is married to Shannon Walsh, an elementary school counselor, and they have two daughters and one son.