Hope Mothershead: Serving the Community That Raised Her
Hanging on the wall of Hope Mothershead’s office is a simple sign with a message she tries to live by every day: “Work hard and be nice to people.”
It’s a philosophy that has served her well throughout her life, from her childhood in the small community of Farnham to her current role as Richmond County Administrator, where she now helps guide the future of the very community that raised her.
And while her position carries plenty of responsibility, Hope is quick to tell you that her favorite title has nothing to do with county government.
“Mom is my favorite title so far,” she says. “No matter what career I have, nothing will compare to being a mom and fostering a relationship with my children.”
Born and raised in Richmond County, Hope graduated from Rappahannock High School in 1994. Her childhood was centered around family, church, and the simple pleasures of small-town life. Her father owned a service station just down the road from their home and farmed in the evenings, while her mother stayed home with Hope and her older brother, Jay, during much of their childhood.
Sundays often meant attending two churches. Calvary United Methodist Church was her mother’s family church, while Farnham Baptist Church was where her father’s family worshiped. Both were filled with relatives, and both helped shape the values Hope carries with her today.
Her husband, Wayne, has been part of her life for nearly as long as she can remember. He was her brother’s best friend, lived across the street from her father’s service station, and frequently joined the family on vacations.
“I used to grumble as a child because I was like, ‘Do we have to take him?’” she recalls with a laugh.
Eventually, friendship turned into romance, and the two married in 1995, when Hope was just 19 years old. They rented a little house next door to her grandmother, with Wayne’s grandfather living across the street.
Those early years were filled with the kind of support that makes small-town living special. When Hope needed to learn how to cook a roast, her grandmother was right next door to show her how.
More than 30 years later, Hope and Wayne have raised two children, Jacob and Natalie. Jacob works full-time for Northern Neck Electric and plans to build a home on family property in Farnham, while Natalie is pursuing her nursing degree at Rappahannock Community College.
Hope treasures this season of life, particularly the opportunity to develop friendships with her children as adults.
“Being able to develop a relationship with your adult children is amazing,” she says. “It’s been so much fun to navigate through those seasons of being a mother.”
After graduating from high school, Hope earned an associate degree in business management from Rappahannock Community College. In 1996, she began working as a legal assistant for Lewis and Ware, P.C., in Tappahannock, later known as William L. Lewis, P.C.
Although she had little knowledge of the legal field when she started, attorneys John Ware and Bill Lewis, along with other employees, took her under their wings. She learned title searches, real estate closings, bookkeeping, and the many details involved in property transactions.
She remained there for 20 years, grateful not only for the knowledge she gained, but also for the flexibility that allowed her to balance her career with raising her children.
Jacob and Natalie practically grew up in the law office, occasionally accompanying their mother to work when school was closed or they weren't feeling well. Hope laughs remembering how Bill Lewis would entertain them by pretending the space beneath his desk was a basement, slowly disappearing from sight as he crouched lower and lower.
When Lewis became a judge in 2016, Hope found herself facing an unexpected career change.
An administrative assistant position had opened with Richmond County, and although she had spent two decades in the legal field, she decided to apply. She began working for the county in June 2016, never imagining where that decision would eventually lead.
As time passed, she took on additional responsibilities, including zoning and planning. Eventually, then-County Administrator Morgan Quicke encouraged her to become the county’s planning and zoning director.
When Morgan later prepared to leave his position, he approached Hope about another opportunity: becoming county administrator.
This time, however, she wasn't so sure. Hope questioned whether she was qualified. But Morgan saw something in her that she hadn't yet fully recognized in herself.
His confidence, along with the support of others who had mentored her throughout her career, gave her the courage to try. She was appointed interim county administrator in April 2023 and officially assumed the position in September of that year.
Today, Hope oversees the daily operations of Richmond County government, works closely with the Board of Supervisors, prepares the county budget in collaboration with department leaders, and helps navigate everything from zoning decisions to community development.
It's a job that requires balancing the needs of residents with the realities of a small county's resources. And because Richmond County is her hometown, those decisions can sometimes feel especially personal.
“This is my hometown, and these are the people who raised me,” she says. “They helped shape me into the person I am. Now I get the privilege and responsibility of helping shape its future.”
That connection to the community is both one of the greatest rewards and one of the greatest challenges of her position. Hope understands that she cannot always give residents the answers they want, but she believes everyone deserves to be heard and treated with respect.
Her approach to leadership is rooted in accessibility, kindness, and a willingness to do whatever needs to be done. She keeps an open-door policy and describes herself as a servant leader, unwilling to ask an employee to do something she wouldn't do herself. And yes, that has occasionally meant rolling up her sleeves to plunge a toilet when necessary!
“Every decision matters,” she says, a reminder she has repeated to her children throughout their lives and one she continues to carry into her professional responsibilities.
As Richmond County continues to evolve, Hope hopes to see thoughtful growth that preserves the character of the community she loves. She recognizes the opportunities that come with new residents and businesses but believes there is something worth protecting about the slower pace of life that draws people here in the first place.
Outside the office, Hope and Wayne enjoy spending time with family and friends, especially during the summer months along the river. Wayne and Jacob are both involved in the local volunteer fire department, continuing a long tradition of service in Hope's family. Hope enjoys reading, Bible studies, family walks, and the annual beach vacation that has become a treasured family tradition.
Faith has remained a constant throughout her life. After growing up in Calvary United Methodist and Farnham Baptist churches, Hope is now a member of Rappahannock Church of Christ, where she especially enjoys participating in small-group Bible studies.
She credits her faith with guiding her decisions, strengthening her through difficult seasons, and reminding her to remain grateful for the blessings around her.
“Keeping God at the center, personally and professionally,” she says, has been an important part of navigating both the joys and challenges of life.
When asked what makes Richmond County so special, Hope doesn't point to any particular landmark or accomplishment. Instead, she returns to a word that has become something of a personal theme: balance.
For Hope, Richmond County offers just enough activity without losing the simplicity, relationships, and sense of belonging that have defined her life.
“It's just home,” she says. “It fits.”
And perhaps that is what makes Hope Mothershead's story so fitting for Richmond County. She didn't have to leave her hometown to find opportunity or purpose. Instead, she built a life here, raised her family here, and found herself in a position to give back to the very people who helped shape her.
From a little girl growing up in Farnham to the woman now helping guide Richmond County's future, Hope has remained grounded in the same values she learned long ago.
Work hard. Be nice to people. And never forget the place, or the people, who helped make you who you are.