Janice Hudgins Phillips

My Ties to Mathews

I was born and raised in the New Point area of Mathews. Both my mother’s and father’s families have roots that date to the 17th and 18th centuries. My mother, the Smith family, was one of 11 children and my father, the Hudgins family, was one of 10 children. I am fortunate to have a large, loving family, many of whom live in Mathews. When I go to bed, I count cousins instead of sheep!

 

After graduating from Mathews High School, I went to Longwood College. As a daughter of a waterman, a college education was a lofty goal. With unwavering support of my family, especially my sisters, Joanna and Betsy, and my community, I became a teacher. I lived and worked out of the area and eventually left teaching and joined the corporate world. While working for Allied Signal, I earned my MBA at Old Dominion University.

 

My late husband, Dick, was a career Air Force Officer and a fighter pilot. After his last assignment in Georgia, we returned to the Virginia peninsula to work while considering where we would retire. We decided to settle back in Mathews. We built our home 27 years ago on the land where I grew up. I look out at the same shoreline where I played as a child.  

 

Why I Am Running

When I went out into the world, I knew I was prepared with a quality public education, and I also had the encouragement and support of my family and my community. I want to see that the students in our community today enjoy the same benefits of growing up here in Mathews as I did.

The decline in our population and lower school enrollment concerns me. Young families are a necessary part of a thriving community. I want to do what I can to attract and retain young families so that we can have top-notch schools, emergency services, health care, local businesses and cultural and recreational opportunities.

 

I see the increase in tourism as a benefit to Mathews, but I worry that some residents do not realize how the money tourism brings to local businesses can help us keep taxes low. I would like to encourage the citizens to embrace tourism as a positive for our community.

 

What Makes Me a Good Candidate

After teaching high school business classes for 4 years in Hampton, I worked for Noland Company conducting internal audits in nine states. Also, I worked in Finance and Accounting for Allied Signal and Marketing and Strategic Planning for J.M. Huber Corporation, a large private corporation. I retired from Siemens Automotive, an international manufacturer, as Director of Finance.

 

I have experience in planning, budgeting and analysis as well as experience serving on boards. I think my skills, business background and knowledge of Mathews County organizations and agencies will be an asset to the Board of Supervisors.

 

My Community Involvement 

Giving back to this community that gave me so much has been a pleasure. I served on the Career and Technical Education Board for Mathews High School and on the First Advantage Federal Credit Union Board.  I have coordinated the Mathews Community Blood Drive for 10 years and served on the Mathews Community Foundation for 11 years, including time as Chair. I worked as an election official and volunteered as an AARP Tax Preparer, performed audits for the Mathews Elementary School PTA, and served as Treasurer of Friends of the Library.

 

Currently, I am on the Mathews Social Services Board, Secretary of the Mathews Family YMCA Advisory Board and a member of the Mathews Historical Society and Path. Once a month, I volunteer for Meals on Wheels. 

 

What the Candidate Team Can Do for Mathews

The Board of Supervisors must deal with many complex issues. It is critical to consider the impact of decisions in the near term as well as the long term. Every decision has consequences which must be identified. I feel confident that the Mathews Citizens for the Common Good team will work with other Board members, the county administrator and citizens to make the best decisions for our county. I want the citizens of Mathews to know that I’m willing to do whatever is needed to help improve our lives here in Mathews.