Adam Tolbert, a native of Smyth County, grew up in the Broadford community near Saltville and has spent his entire life in Southwest Virginia.  He is a resident of Saltville. 

Adam is a firm believer in the values of Southwest Virginia, our constitutional right to keep and bear arms, the right to life, lower taxes, and efficient government. 

Public Servant

Adam works professionally in public service, where he has over 20 years of experience in several positions. He currently serves as the Senior Director of Administration at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon where he oversees numerous key administrative processes in support of the Center’s mission to strengthen the regional economy of Southwest Virginia by providing higher education and professional development training for the current and future workforce.

Republican Party Volunteer & Activist

Adam has served in numerous leadership and volunteer roles at all levels of the Republican Party. He has supported and worked to get Republican candidates elected to offices at all levels in the region---including President Trump, Congressman Morgan Griffith, Governor Glenn Youngkin, Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, Attorney General Jason Miyares, and numerous others.

He has served as the Chairman of the Ninth Congressional District Republican Committee since 2014, providing leadership to the 28 local Republican unit committees across the district. Additionally, he has served as the Chairman of the Smyth County Republican Committee since 2007. In 2011, he was the Republican nominee for Treasurer of Smyth County.  

General Assembly Experience

Adam also has General Assembly experience with constituent relations, research, the drafting of legislation, and the legislative process as he has served as a special policy advisor since 2014, first for Delegate Jeff Campbell and most recently for Delegate Jed Arnold.

Education

Adam attended the public schools in Smyth County and was a first generation college student.  As such, he understands the value of education.  He ultimately went on to earn his Ph.D.

• 2003: Graduate of Northwood High School, Saltville, VA

• 2006: Bachelor of Arts degree in Government/Political Science, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise

• 2008: Master of Science degree in Management, Liberty University

• 2023: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Administration, Liberty University

During high school, he also was dual enrolled in college courses at Virginia Highlands Community College.

Additionally, Adam is a graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia where he completed the Candidate Training Program (CTP) in 2008 and the Political Leaders Program (PLP) in 2014.