D. B. “Bart” FRYE, JR. Chairman of the Board, Frye Properties, Inc.

As the managing partner of East Beach Company, LLC, Bart oversees development of East Beach, a project that has quickly become the catalyst for the rebuilding of the surrounding East Ocean View area. East Beach is fashioned after classic Southeastern seaboard coastal villages.

Bart began his housing career with the Norfolk Redevelopment & Housing Authority in 1965, where he oversaw redevelopment initiatives that were instrumental to the growth of Norfolk. These initiatives included the Ghent Conservation Project, which fostered the rehabilitation of existing homes and expansion of the Eastern Virginia Medical School; the redevelopment in East Ghent and Brambleton neighborhoods, which made possible the development of the Ghent Square community and the expansion of Norfolk State University; and securing federal funding to complete the acquisition of major areas that now encompass Norfolk’s downtown renaissance as well as funding for the construction of Scope and Chrysler Hall, a cultural and sports entertainment facility in downtown.

His appointment as Executive Director of the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority in 1971 became the catalyst for redevelopment initiatives and the attraction of public and private capital for new residential and commercial development in that city as well. During this period, PRHA received numerous local, regional and national awards for accomplishments, which included the development of a privately financed and owned City Hall complex; Portsmouth’s highly visible mixed-use waterfront development; and a $10 million dollar award in national competition for funding under one of the countries first Urban Development Action Grants which made possible the construction of the 25-story Harbor Tower on the Portsmouth waterfront. These initiatives continue to serve as anchors for revitalization of the city’s waterfront area.

During this time, Mr. Frye also coordinated initiation of the renovation of the acclaimed Olde Towne conservation area that comprises homes, churches and neighborhood retail dating back to the 1800s. Under his direction, loans and grants were secured along with public investment that preserved this traditional neighborhood and its historical significance. This revitalization included the pedestrian ferry service to downtown Norfolk linking residents and businesses in the two Central Business Districts.

Bart is past president and board member of Norfolk Festevents, as well as a member of the boards of Towne Bank, the Virginia Horse Center, the Greater Norfolk Corporation, and the Virginia Beach Foundation. He also previously served on the board of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, the Virginia Resources Authority and Dominion Bank. He is the founder and president of the Virginia Beach Polo Club and Polo Foundation, and remains an active player.

Bart has testified on housing issues before the Senate and Housing Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, and Appropriations committees and White House conferences. He has also served on several community development and housing panels and is a visiting lecturer on real estate finance for the University Of Virginia School Of Law and the Darden School of Business. Bart has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Randolph Macon College and a master’s degree in public administration from Syracuse University.