Former Minority Whip, Commonwealth of Virginia Senate

Senator, Commonwealth of Virginia Senate, District 21, 1996-2024

Candidate, Commonwealth of Virginia Senate, District 21, 2019

Vice Mayor, City of Roanoke, 1994

City Council Member, City of Roanoke, 1993

Vice-Chair, Virginia Code Commission, present

Member, Virginia Commission for At-Risk Youth & Children, present

Member, Virginia Indigent Defense Commission, present

Member, Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission, present

Former Member, Commission on Unemployment Compensation, Commonwealth of Virginia House of Delegates

Former Member, Courts of Justice Committee, Commonwealth of Virginia Senate

Former Member, Privileges and Elections Committee, Commonwealth of Virginia Senate

Former Chair, Roanoke Civic Center Commission

Former Member, Transportation Committee, Commonwealth of Virginia Senate

Chairman, Sixth Congressional District Democratic Committee, 1986-1993

Chairman, Roanoke City Democratic Committee, 1983-1985

Chairman, Roanoke Valley Young Democrats, 1977

Attorney, Law Office of John S. Edwards, 1991-present

Adjunct Professor, University of Virginia Law School, present

Former Member, Board of the Virginia War Memorial, Virginia State Senate

United States Attorney, Western District of Virginia, 1980-1981

Attorney, Gentry, Locke, Rakes & Moore, 1976

Attorney, Sidley and Austin, 1970, 1974-1976

Captain, United States Marine Corps, 1971-1973

Member, Board of Directors, Roanoke Bar Association, present

Member, Christ Lutheran Church, present

Volunteer, United Way, present

Board Member, Virginia Capital Representation Resource Center, present

Board Member, Virginia Veterans Services, present

Board Member, Virginia War Memorial Foundation, present

Former President, Church Council, Christ Lutheran Church

Former Chair, Criminal Law Section of the Virginia Bar Association

Chairman, Board of Directors, Virginia Lutheran Homes, Incorporated, 1986-1998

Participant, Union Theological Seminary, Rockefeller Brothers Theological Fellowship, 1966-1967

Awards:

Legislator of the Year, Virginia Professional Firefighters, 2012;
Leaders in the Law, Virginia Law Weekly, 2012;
Legislative Service Award, Planned Parenthood of Virginia, 2012;
Legislative Champion Award, Virginia Crisis Intervention Team Coalition, 2011;
Legislator of the Year, Democratic Latino Organization of Virginia, 2011;
Legislative Hero, Virginia League of Conservation Voters, 2011, 2013;
The Stamp Award for Exemplary Support of Military Families, The Virginia Council of Chapters, Military Officers Association of America, 2009;
Public Service Award, Madison Society of Virginia Western Community College, 2009;
Public Service Award from Virginia Conference, American Association of University Professors, 2009;
Public Service Award, Southwest Virginia Psychiatric Society, 2008;
Child Advocate Award from Virginia Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics, 2007;
Excellence Award, Virginia First Cities Coalition, 2005;
Legislator of the Year, Child Health Investment Partnership (CHIP), 2005;
Public Servant Award, Equality Virginia, 2005;
Friend of the Family Award, Virginia Association of Family and Consumer Services, 2003;
Child Advocate of the Year award, Virginia Parent-Teacher Association/Parent-Teacher-Student Association, 2002

Number of Grandchildren:

7 Grandchildren