Graham steps into Young County Judge position

Sunday marked a change in the county as Young County Judge Win Graham was sworn into office, succeeding former Young County Judge John Bullock, who retired after holding the position since 2011. As Graham began his first term in office this week, he entered both with big plans and knowing that he still has much to learn.

Graham, a 1988 graduate of Graham High School, started at the University of Texas majoring in petroleum land management. He later graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting. Graham said it was an experience in applying for internships that led to the first change in his career path

“I wanted to work in the oil and gas industry. About halfway through school, (I) went down to Houston and started interviewing for internships and the oil and gas market was collapsing, and just really, really doom and gloom. (...) They told me the domestic oil and gas business is going extinct, everything’s going to move offshore, we recommend you change your major,” the judge said. “So I changed my major to accounting because I figured it was the business degree that gave me the most options.”

After changing majors and eventually earning his degree and Certified Public Accountant certificate, Graham started a career in accounting. It was 12 years ago that Graham said he started considering running for county office. Not able to participate at the city level due to living outside of city limits, he wanted to give back to the county and said he was fully motivated by community service.

He has served on the board for Graham ISD, Young Central Appraisal District, Graham Industrial Association and Young County Appraisal Review Board, including terms as president of each. He’s also a member of the Virginia’s House board, a child advocacy center located in Graham.

For the full story, see the Saturday, Jan. 7 edition of The Graham Leader.