Steve Wright
Town Manager Bio
Steve Wright has accrued over 20 years of public sector experience. His functional emphases/areas of subject matter expertise have included organizational development/training, performance measurement/management, program evaluation, customer experience/customer needs assessments, budgeting, and strategic planning. Steve holds a bachelor of arts in psychology, a master of public administration degree, and Lean Six Sigma green and black belt certifications. He, also, recently completed the Public Leadership Credential Program through the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government and is currently a doctor of public administration student at Valdosta State University. In his not-so-copious spare time, Steve leads meditation classes (as a certified mindfulness and meditation teacher), acts in theatre productions, and works diligently to reverse his biological age.
For a copy of the Town Manager's report, please contact (804) 466-4030 or email jrigg@tappahannock-va.gov
James Knighton
Assistant Town Manager Bio
James Knighton joined the Town of Tappahannock as Assistant Town Manager in June 2024 and supports Town Manager Steve Wright. In this role, he oversees ongoing town development projects and serves as the Zoning Administrator. James brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as the Director of Planning and Zoning Administrator for Mathews County, Virginia. With seven years in the planning and zoning field, he holds a Certified Zoning Administrator credential from the Virginia Association of Zoning Officials. During his tenure in Mathews, James led updates to the county’s zoning ordinance and helped secure funding for crucial transportation projects through VDOT, bringing them to successful completion.
James is a James Madison University alumnus with a Bachelor of Science in Geography, focusing on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and environmental conservation. A native of Virginia’s Northern Neck, he currently lives on the Middle Peninsula in Middlesex County with his family.
