Suffolk’s 2022 First Citizen

110 Finney Avenue,Suffolk VA 23434

25 August, 2022

Description

The Suffolk and North Suffolk Rotary Clubs are proud to announce the 2022 Suffolk's First Citizen is Harry Cross IIIHarry Lee Cross has been a lifelong resident of Suffolk since 1949. He graduated from William and Mary in 1971 and was a US Navy Flight Officer from 1972-1973. In 1973, Harry opened Cross Realty. Harry has held the position of Real Estate Broker and Principal Broker over the last 50 years. In addition to running Cross Realty, Harry Lee Cross has also held multiple positions in Hampton Roads Area Realty Organizations including Chairman of the Suffolk Board of Realtors, Executive Board Member for the Hampton Roads Board of Realtors, Board Member of the Hampton Roads MLS, Chairman of the Hampton Roads MLS, and Board Member for the Suffolk Retail Merchants Association. Harry Lee Cross has a long legacy of contributing to the growth and community welfare of the citizens of Suffolk. As Chairman of the Suffolk Foundation, Mr. Cross conceived of and established the Women's Impact Fund, a group of local female philanthropists focused on women’s needs in the community. Mr. Cross is also the Chairman of the Community Action Coalition of Virginia (CACOV) and is a member and past President of the Downtown Suffolk Rotary Club. Mr. Cross teaches Sunday school at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church and has done so for over 35 years. Harry Lee Cross has been a mentor and consultant to Lorna Slaughter, founder of the Suffolk Christian Fellowship Center, a food distribution service for local citizens who are food-deprived. Mr. Cross volunteered his time helping with grant funding, staff recruitment, arranging transportation and food storage locations, using his influence to acquire free food to support this initiative. Previously, Mr. Cross has held positions in the following organizations: Chairman of the Board, Suffolk United WayChairman of the Board, Suffolk YMCAMember of the YMCA committee that established Camp Silver BeachPresident of the Suffolk Chamber of CommercePresident and Co-Founder of the Suffolk Youth Athletic Association -1O years President of the Suffolk Tennis AssociationHead of the Suffolk Peanut Fest Parade -5 yearsBoard Member of Cedar Point Country ClubBoard Member of Nansemond Suffolk Academy (NSA)Volunteer Coach for NSA Boys and Girls Tennis and Basketball -10 yearsVolunteer for the Suffolk Literacy CouncilVolunteer for the Virginia Legal Aid SocietyElder and Deacon, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church A reception honoring Harry Cross, III will be held August 25th at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts. Proceeds from the event are donated to charitable organizations.