Regent Law Alumnus Wynter Benda Named Lynchburg City Manager
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (JUNE 15, 2021) – Wynter Benda, Law ’02, loves people, well-oiled systems and opportunities to effect positive change. He is about to see all three of these passions fuse in exciting new ways as he takes a giant leap within the arena of public service. After serving as Chief Deputy City Manager, among other roles within the City of Norfolk for more than a decade, Benda will assume a new position as Lynchburg City Manager in August 2021. He was voted in unanimously by the City Council.
“It is an honor and privilege to take the helm of this organization and be part of a place so vibrant and full of potential,” said Benda. “Lynchburg is one of fastest growing cities in Virginia, and I see a tremendous opportunity to build on that momentum.”
Within his first hundred days as City Manager, Benda’s priorities will include “a lot of listening to the [City] Council and our residents and formulating first steps toward encouraging growth in the seven colleges and universities that comprise Lynchburg.”
He also hopes to leverage his extensive experience in city planning, intergovernmental relations, public utilities, public works, transit, real estate, resilience, and communications within various city departments.
A graduate of Regent University’s School of Law, Benda fondly reflects on his time in the law school and especially the privilege of serving as president of the second- and third-year law classes. “I got to fully enjoy both the academic and personal pieces of going to law school. It’s always more meaningful to work together than alone, and Regent certainly delivered an impactful experience,” he said.
“Wynter’s commitment to the infrastructure of our cities is a tremendous community asset,” said Regent Law Dean Mark Martin. “He is an excellent example of how our students graduate from Regent Law prepared to impact the communities they serve with innovative thinking and responsible administration.”
Benda was a finalist in the 2001 Regent University School of Law Negotiations Competition and competed in the 2001 ABA Regional Negotiations Tournament at Georgetown Law Center. As he completed his juris doctor, he secured a prestigious judicial clerkship with the 7th Judicial Circuit of Newport News, VA. Following his clerkship, he held the position of In-House Council for the Chesapeake Treasurer’s Office, then served as Senior Assistant City Attorney for the City of Hampton before returning to the Norfolk-Virginia Beach area.
Benda was born in Norfolk, raised in Virginia Beach and is a die-hard fan of the Commonwealth of Virginia and its great people.
Photo: Kendall Warner, The News Advance
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About Regent University
Founded in 1977, Regent University is America’s premier Christian university with over 11,000 students online and on campus in Virginia Beach, VA. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than 150 areas of study, including business, communication and the arts, cybersecurity and technology, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, nursing and healthcare, and psychology. Regent University tops the list of Best Online Bachelor’s Programs in Virginia and is ranked among top national universities by U.S. News & World Report. Along with a commitment to academic excellence, what sets Regent apart is its mission to prepare Christian leaders to change the world.
About Regent Law
Regent Law’s more than 3,300 graduates practice law in 49 states and over 20 countries and include 38 currently sitting judges. The School of Law is currently ranked 22nd in the nation for obtaining judicial clerkships and ranked 20th in the nation for Ultimate Bar Passage in 2019. The school offers the Juris Doctor (J.D.) in three-year and part-time formats, an online M.A. in Law, an online M.A. in Financial Planning & Law, an on-campus and online LL.M. in Human Rights, and an on-campus and online LL.M. in American Legal Studies.
