Council Members

Vice Mayor Kenneth S. Watts
ken.watts@amherstva.gov

Kenneth Watts was reelected in November 2024 to serve a four-year term beginning January 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2028, and presently serves as Vice Mayor.  Mr. Watts has completed over four terms on Town Council, first elected in 2012.  Showing his involvement in the community, Mr. Watts has ensured that the Town of Amherst thrives by serving on several Town committees throughout those terms. 

In his professional capacity, Mr. Watts worked as Officer, an Investigator and was the Chief of Police of the Amherst Police Department. As such and with time spent with the Amherst Rescue Squad and the Amherst Fire Department, Mr. Watts brings plenty of knowledge, expertise, and perspective to the Amherst Town Council.

Mr. Watts sees economic development as one of the most important issues that the Town faces.  It is his hope that we will soon see progress on a few of his favorite projects bringing economic development and interest to the Town – seeking the interest of a grocery store chain and building a splash pad in an established recreational park for family-friendly activities.

Councilor Janice N. Wheaton
janice.wheaton@amherstva.gov
Janice Wheaton, an Amherst native who returned to the town several years ago after residing in Nelson County, was first elected to Town Council in November, 2018. She believes that communication between Council members and town citizens is key to strengthening growth and development while maintaining the integrity of the Town’s character.   Along with her service on Town Council, Ms. Wheaton served on the Planning Commission through December 2022.

Ms. Wheaton is the mother of two sons.   She has worked as an account executive for a financial advisory firm.   She served on the Board of the Nelson County Community Fund and volunteered as a 6-year facilitator at the UK International Soccer Camps in Nelson County.

Councilor Michael H. Driskill
mike.driskill@amherstva.gov
Michael (Mike) Driskill was reelected in November 2024 to serve a four-year term beginning January 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2028, having been first elected in a special election in November 2022, to serve the remaining two years of an existing term.  He is a graduate of Tennessee Technological University, a retired Air Force officer, and a retired Quality Manager at the Amherst Glad plant.  He has been a resident of the town for 31 years.  Mr. Driskill also serves as a member of the Planning Commission appointed by council in January, 2023.  

He would like to maintain our small town charm with its small businesses, restaurants, and farmers’ markets while attracting larger industries or businesses to our industrial park.  He will work toward having the recreation and housing findings from the Community Vision Survey incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan and then to bring them to fruition.

Councilor Jared Steven Martin
jared.martin@amherstva.gov
Jared Martin was elected to serve on the Town Council in November, 2024 to serve a four-year term beginning January 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2028. 

Mr. Martin is a 2006 graduate of Timberlake Christian Schools and 2021 graduate of Hartford Community College.   In his professional capacity, Mr. Martin has worked for the City of Richmond Fire Department as a First Lieutenant since 2018 and is a Captain with the Amherst Fire Department volunteering since 2005.   He is a member of Clifford Baptist Church. 

Mr. Martin hopes to see the relationship between the town and small businesses be strengthened in the near future.  He is also hopeful to start obtaining more input from citizens that will allow the council to better serve all those doing business or living in the town. 

Councilor Ventris Gibson
ventris.gibson@amherstva.gov
On June 11, 2025, Ventris Gibson was appointed by the Town Council of the Town of Amherst to serve as an interim council member beginning the day she took her oath of office on June 16, 2025.  She will serve in this position until completion of a special election to be held on November 4, 2025, certification of election results and the successful candidate taking the oath of office. 

Ms. Gibson is a U.S. Navy veteran.  With a career that spans more than 40 years in Federal Government executive and professional positions, she was then appointed as Director of the US Mint in October 2021. She retired on March 2025.

Ms. Gibson is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute, Executive Technique, and Aspen Institute, and attended the University of Maryland, University College. She has three children and four grandchildren.

As a resident and member of Town Council, it is important to her that the town maintain its small town feel and close-knit community. Her favorite saying is “Good, better, best; Never let it rest; Until your good is better and your better is best.”