Steve Best, Chesapeake’s former fire chief, has been named executive officer of the Southeast Virginia Community Foundation. Best succeeds Ward Robinett as head of the nonprofit.
Best spent 37 years with the city’s fire department, the past dozen as chief, before retiring in 2010. He also was named the 2015 First Citizen of Chesapeake by the Chesapeake Rotary Club.
In an announcement regarding the leadership change, in 2015, the foundation said it provided almost $700,000 of financial support to 74 nonprofits that support arts and culture, health and human services, civic and economic development and education. The money came from interest earned on 76 endowment and donor directed funds housed at the foundation.
“My goal is to significantly increase the number of those funds,” Best said, “by building relationships in with philanthropic individuals and families.” Charities can apply twice a year, in the spring and fall, for grants.
Best has a bachelor’s degree in public administration, a master’s degree in business administration and a law degree. He and his wife, Sheree, have two grown children.
