Vernon L. Tillage, Jr. is a native of Portsmouth and a graduate of Churchland High School, who at age 26
is the youngest person ever elected to serve on a public body in the City of Portsmouth. His impetus to
run for School Board was his personal mission to ensure that all children are provided the proper tools
and opportunities they need to excel in life.
Mr. Tillage graduated from Old Dominion University (ODU) where he obtained his Bachelor of Science
Degree in Political Science in 2016. As a student at ODU, he worked as a school bus driver for
Portsmouth Public Schools. Upon graduating from ODU, he began his career working in the Virginia
General Assembly and in the United States Senate, where he worked alongside local, state and federal
legislators to create policy to help some of Virginia’s and America’s most vulnerable families.
Mr. Tillage is committed to the welfare of his community. He has proudly served on numerous boards
and commissions such as Friends of the Portsmouth Juvenile Court, Portsmouth Volunteers for the
Homeless and the Portsmouth Park and Recreation Commission.
*School Board members are individually elected by a vote of eligible citizens. Individual members have no authority or duties except as may be assigned to them by the School Board as a whole. Information provided in the School Board member biographies is provided by the member and does not necessarily represent the position of Portsmouth Public Schools or the School Board as a whole.