DANVILLE, Va. – There’s a new face on Danville City Council. Barry P. Mayo was elected Tuesday, beating an incumbent to secure a seat on the governing body.

Mayo was born and raised in the city and works at Danville Community College, recruiting Dan River Region residents for employment, job preparation and short-term career studies.

He has also worked for Pittsylvania County Community Action. During his tenure at the PCCA, Mayo served for nearly ten years as case manager for the Southwest Cares program. The organization works with ex-offenders, helping them find jobs, and to meet basic needs for things like food and housing.

Mayo has also worked as a probation officer.

A former high school basketball coach in Danville and Pittsylvania County, Mayo serves on several boards in the city.

Mayo was one of nine candidates seeking four seats on Danville City Council and placed fourth in the balloting Tuesday. Incumbents Sherman Saunders, Lee Vogler, Larry Campbell and Madison Whittle all retained their council seats. Fred Shanks came in a close sixth but lost.

Four school board candidates were also elected Tuesday. Renee Hughes, Phillip Campbell, Tyrell Payne and Charles McWilliams all won seats in a five-way contest. Hughes led the balloting, with more than 3,500 votes.

Just over 19 percent of Danville’s registered voters went to the polls. More than 2,000 of the 5,350 ballots cast were mailed in to the registrar’s office.

Registrar Peggy Petty says turnout at the polls was light because of the weather and the conorovirus pandemic.