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Chris Snead’s journey to becoming the first Black treasurer for the City of Hampton started in the city budget office in 1976. 

Snead worked her way up and retired as the budget director in 2011.  

“I just thought I was going off to travel and have a great time,” she said.

Instead, she will be sworn in as the first Black treasurer in the city’s history on Friday, Dec. 16. 

“I’m not even sure that it’s really hit me,” she said. 

Snead served on the Hampton City Council 2012-2021. In that time, she served as a member of the city's finance committee and the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission.

When former city treasurer Molly Ward decided not to run for reelection in 2021, Snead felt like her career prepared her perfectly for the position. 

“I feel like it was my destiny,” she said. “To have been born here, to have worked here throughout the organization and to have served as a council member.”

The primary responsibility of a city treasurer is to collect and maintain the value of taxes. 

Snead won the Democratic primary in June and ran unopposed in November’s general election. 

Snead said her top priority will be improving customer service for citizens.

She had one company to model after: “When people come in, I want (them) to be treated like I’m treated at Chick-fil-a,” she said.