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The Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions (VAPDC) has awarded former Senator Frank Ruff with a Lifetime Legislative Achievement Award. For 30 years, Senator Ruff represented large swaths of Central and Southside Virginia in both the Virginia House of Delegates (1994-2000) and Senate of Virginia (2000-2024).

Throughout his tenure, Ruff promoted legislation that supported projects and programs at both the regional and local levels, especially in the Senate, where his six terms were marked by leadership roles on the Finance, General Laws, and Agriculture Committees.

“Senator Ruff’s efforts to help make communities the best they can be extends far and wide,” said VAPDC Past President Kim Callis in presenting the award. “Particularly, his work in the areas of economic development, education and workforce development stand out. He has long been an advocate for rural areas of the state.”

Frank Ruff had many roles

Senator Frank Ruff played key leadership roles on the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, the Board for Workforce Development and GO Virginia. He was instrumental in the establishment 20 years ago of the Center for Rural Virginia, which this year was renamed as the Senator Frank M. Ruff Jr., Center for Rural Virginia.

“We are excited to present this first ever Lifetime Legislative Achievement Award to Senator Ruff,” said Deborah Gosney, Executive Director of the Southside Planning District Commission. “We were truly blessed in Southern Virginia to have such a strong leader representing us at the state level, as well as his long tenure serving on the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. He will truly be missed, but his legacy will live on.”

In accepting the award, Senator Ruff, who also is a former member of the Mecklenburg County Board of Supervisors, said, “I have enjoyed working together and the goal for all of us is to move the regions forward.”

VAPDC’s leadership created the Legislator of the Year Award 10 years ago to recognize public officials who support regional collaboration and who are actively engaged in public policy efforts that advance economic prosperity in the Commonwealth. This is the first time the Association has recognized an individual with a Lifetime Legislative Achievement Award.