VCU-alum-turned-mayor reflects on career

Celeste Chance, Contributing Writer 

VCU alumnus Justin Wilson is the newly-elected mayor of Alexandria, Virginia. Wilson graduated from the School of Business in 2001 where he studied information systems  — he also wrote for The Commonwealth Times. Wilson spoke with The CT about his experiences as a student, working in information technology, juggling family life and being elected mayor.

What led to the move from the business world to politics?

JW: My minor at VCU was political science. My day job has always been in IT, it is today. Mayor is a part-time gig in Alexandria so I still have a full-time job as well. I do IT work for AMTRAK, been here for 12 and a half years. I don’t think they are wildly different. I think my business experience has always helped on the political side … handling budgets, handling leadership of large organizations. Sometimes the politics even helps me in my day job.

How has the balance been as a part-time mayor and working a full-time position?

JW: So I’ve been on council for eight years. At least I have some experience here with the balance. It’s a little more challenging as mayor, because there is more demand for time. It’s not been dramatically different. I have two kids as well, so balancing the family and two jobs is fun. I will not do it forever, but it’s fun to do it right now.

What made you want to run for mayor?

JW: The reason I ran for mayor is, in some ways, the reason I ran for council in the first place. Things that were issues in my community such as the success of children, infrastructure investment, economic development — vitally important issues that I felt like I had something to contribute on … You look on the council and decide whether you’d be a valuable addition. This is my fifth election in the city, so this is not a new thing for me. I am getting used to being a mayor.

How do you think your time at VCU has affected your day-to-day life now?

JW: My education at VCU helped prepare me for my career for sure, and that gave me experience in elected office as well. I learned a lot from the city. Richmond was a fun place to be in school … I grew up in northern Virginia, so going down to Richmond was not something I was terribly excited about. But by about the end of my time at VCU, I really came to appreciate a lot at VCU and Richmond. My wife and I today try to go back to Richmond periodically. That’s where we first kind of started dating.

So it holds a lot of sentimental value for you.

JW: Yeah, absolutely. A lot of 3rd Street Diner breakfasts.

Beyond the classroom, what were some of your fondest memories as a Ram?

JW: I went to the very first game at the Siegel Center when it opened up. They played Louisville. Everyone expected Louisville to stomp us, because this was before the basketball program got good, and they were a nationally ranked program. VCU actually won that game. It was such a cool atmosphere. I remember that vividly, just being a fun night to be there at a brand new stadium.

I didn’t have as much of a social life as I would have preferred, but I spent a fair amount of time working. I came to enjoy a lot of my time there. We went to Strawberry Street Cafe a lot and different restaurants in the Fan

Is there anything you could offer up as advice to undergraduates who are graduating or even hoping to get into the political field?

JW: As far as getting in the political field, my view has always been, based on my own experience: have a career, have interests outside of politics, be a multidimensional person, become an expert in different things and obviously give back to your community in any way that you can.

In politics we have two types of people, people who want to be something and people who want to do something. I’m much more a fan of the “do-something” people. Those are the people you want there. Gain some expertise, know what you want to do and work in your community to do it. In politics today, there is a yearning for younger people and people with different ideas. There’s an impatience for politics in the country and certainly even in Virginia … they want change agents who are there. That’s what I would offer. There’s no magic recipe for any of this.