News Flash

Home

Posted on: July 1, 2020

Turk and Wallace Make Salem History

Salem City Seal

Renée Ferris Turk arrived at City Hall on July 1, 2020 to be officially sworn-in as a first-year member of Salem City Council. By the time she exited Council Chambers that day, she had made local government history.

turkwallacewebTurk was voted the first female mayor in the 52-year history of Salem, as she hit the ground running like no other elected official, since Salem became an independent city in 1968. She is the first female to serve as a mayor of either Salem, Roanoke City or Vinton.

“I am honored to have been selected,” says Turk. “It was a bit of a surprise. There are five excellent council members and any one of us could be in this position easily because everyone is so geared toward the same goal. And that is to serve the citizens of Salem to the best of our ability.”

Her family has been in the service business for quite some time. Her husband David taught history and government at Salem High School for three decades and coached volleyball and lacrosse for 22 years each. Her brother-in-law, Frank, was Salem’s Finance Director for over 40 years and her brother, Ray, is a former Roanoke City Councilman.

All three of their children are products of Salem City Schools. Michael, 33, is a Senior Manager of Capital Markets and Analytics for Capital One and part-owner of Olde Salem Brewing. Daniel, 31, is a realtor here in Salem for Re-Max and Rachel, 29, is a Dr. and Counseling Clinical Psychologist in the Athletic Department at the University of Richmond.

Mayor Turk is a Roanoke College graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, economics, and education. She has taught business classes at Salem High School, the general sales manager at Saturn of Roanoke Valley and an account executive for Q99. She retired from Wheeler Broadcasting in 2014.

She was not the only newly elected member to earn a title on Wednesday. Jim Wallace was named Vice Mayor in a vote by his fellow Council members.

While this is his first venture into city government, Wallace has 29 years of technical sales experience and he currently manages the Salem branch of Tencarva Machinery Company, The privately held corporation relies on his strong ability to effectively explain complex issues, ideas, and concepts in layman’s terms. 

In addition to his employment at Tencarva Machinery, Wallace owns and manages numerous real estate investment properties in Salem, serves as the treasurer for Caroline A. Wallace, DDS, PC., is one of seven founders of Parkway Brewing Company. He is also an active member of the Rotary Club of Salem and First United Methodist Church. 

Wallace earned his bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering at North Carolina State University and he has a master of business administration degree from Kenan-Flagler Business School, The University of North Carolina. 

The Vice Mayor resides in Salem with his wife, Caroline, and his youngest son John who is a rising senior at Salem High School. His older sons, J.W. and Charlie, attend the University of North Carolina Greensboro, and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, respectively.

Turk and Wallace assume their new roles, effective immediately.

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Home

Salem Fire Department Logo

Structure Fire at 2011 Apperson Dr.

Posted on: April 22, 2023
Salem Fire Department Logo

Structure Fire at 16 McDivitt Road

Posted on: April 22, 2023
Salem Parks and Recreation Logo

2023 Easter Egg Hunt Set for April 5

Posted on: March 21, 2023
Salem Civic Center Logo

New Owners for the Salem Red Sox

Posted on: March 17, 2023
Salem Fire Department Logo

Early Morning Fire on West Main Street

Posted on: January 14, 2023
Salem City Seal

2022 Holiday Events All Set in Salem

Posted on: November 22, 2022
Salem Civic Center Logo

Indoor Pro Lacrosse Coming to Salem

Posted on: November 21, 2022
Salem Parks and Recreation Logo

2022 Halloween Activities Set in Salem

Posted on: October 20, 2022
Salem Fire Department Logo

Salem Fire and EMS Extinguish 9th St. Fire

Posted on: September 25, 2022
Salem Police Department Logo

Salem Police Receive Statewide HEAT Honor

Posted on: September 16, 2022
Salem City Seal

Olde Salem Days 2022 Traffic Information

Posted on: September 7, 2022
Salem City Seal

Apperson Bridge Sidewalks Closed

Posted on: May 22, 2022
Salem Civic Center Logo

Paw Patrol LIVE Coming to Salem In June

Posted on: February 14, 2022
Salem Fire Department Logo

Yokohama Fire Causes $160,000 Damage

Posted on: December 20, 2021
Salem Police Department Logo

Police Arrest Two for Stealing from Cars

Posted on: December 3, 2021
Salem City Seal

2021 Holiday Events Announced for Salem

Posted on: November 17, 2021
Salem Fire Department Logo

Commercial Fire at MedExpress on West Main

Posted on: November 10, 2021
Salem Fire Department Logo

Three Pets Perish in Peach Street Fire

Posted on: November 5, 2021
Salem City Seal

Council Proclaims Murray Cook Day in Salem

Posted on: September 28, 2021
Salem Fire Department Logo

Structure Fire on Azalea Street

Posted on: August 27, 2021

Parker McCollum is Coming to Salem

Posted on: August 26, 2021
Salem Fire Department Logo

Structure Fire on Victoria Street

Posted on: April 3, 2021
Salem Fire Department Logo

Dog Perishes in Front Avenue Fire

Posted on: March 30, 2021
Salem City Schools Logo

Epperly Named Assistant Principal at SHS

Posted on: February 10, 2021
Salem Police Department Logo

Goodman Named Police Officer of the Year

Posted on: February 10, 2021
Salem City Schools Logo

Kayla Wood Named SHS Girls Soccer Coach

Posted on: February 10, 2021
Salem Fire Department Logo

House Fire on Valleydale Avenue

Posted on: January 23, 2021
Salem City Seal

I-81 Widening Meeting Set for Feb. 9

Posted on: January 11, 2021
Salem City Seal

Local COVID-19 Vaccination Plans

Posted on: January 11, 2021
Salem Fire Department Logo

Structure Fire on Stonewall Circle

Posted on: January 4, 2021
Salem City Seal

Need Help with Utility Bills Payment?

Posted on: December 21, 2020
Salem City Seal

2020 Holiday Events Set For December

Posted on: November 30, 2020
Salem City Seal

Salem Receives Second State Tourism Grant

Posted on: November 16, 2020
Salem City Schools Logo

Boyd Named SHS Boys Basketball Coach

Posted on: November 12, 2020
Salem Police Department Logo

Salem Murder Suspect Arrested in West Va.

Posted on: November 10, 2020
Salem City Seal

Salem Awarded 15 New NCAA Championships

Posted on: October 14, 2020
Salem City Schools Logo

Salem School Division Earns Statewide Honor

Posted on: September 21, 2020
Salem Parks and Recreation Logo

2020 Salem Half Marathon Goes All Virtual

Posted on: September 14, 2020
Salem Parks and Recreation Logo

Parks & Rec Offering New Wellness Classes

Posted on: September 8, 2020
Salem City Seal

Phase II Downtown Revitalization Underway

Posted on: September 3, 2020
Salem City Seal

Rob Light Named Assistant City Manager

Posted on: August 24, 2020
Salem Parks and Recreation Logo

Salem Half Marathon COVID-19 Update

Posted on: July 30, 2020
Salem City Seal

Council Extends Due Dates for Taxes

Posted on: April 14, 2020
Salem City Seal

Local Governments Declare Emergencies

Posted on: March 16, 2020
Salem Police Department Logo

Police Make Arrest in Baymont Inn Incident

Posted on: February 19, 2020
Salem Fire Department Logo

Residential Fire on West Riverside Dr.

Posted on: February 16, 2020
Salem Civic Center Logo

Americana Music Artists Coming to Salem

Posted on: February 10, 2020
Salem Police Department Logo

Webb Named Salem Officer of the Year

Posted on: January 21, 2020
Salem City Schools Logo

Adam Ward Classic Expands for 2020

Posted on: January 14, 2020
Salem Fire Department Logo

Commercial Fire on Salem Industrial Dr.

Posted on: January 5, 2020