FRANKLIN—Retiring Fifth Circuit Court Judge Westbrook J. Parker has been selected to succeed Bobby B. Worrell as executive director of the Camp Foundations on Jan. 1.

Under Worrell’s leadership since 1996, the foundations have directed scholarships and grants in excess of $60 million to students and charitable organizations.

“It is an honor to have been selected by the search committee to succeed Bobby, who has done so much for the citizens of our communities,” Parker said. “He is such a quiet leader that many of our citizens have no idea how much he has done for them.”

The Camp Foundations include The Camp Foundation, The Ruth Camp and Henry Campbell Foundation, The Ruth Camp Campbell Charitable Trust and The Camp Younts Foundation.

The Elms Foundation is the operating organization, which administers each foundation.

The Camp Foundation was formed by the founders of Camp Manufacturing Co. to provide funding for Franklin area parks, playgrounds, hospitals and charitable projects including social services, educational or benevolent in nature.

The other foundations and trusts were formed through other Camp family members who loved and respected this community.

The executive director coordinates the work of those charitable institutions that have benefited Franklin and Southampton County and Isle of Wight County.

Worrell, a native of Southampton County, retired from banking after 44 years, having worked with Southampton County, First Union National, Crestar and Merchants & Farmers banks.

Worrell is a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the Korean Conflict from 1952-1954.

He has been involved in the community as a director and past chairman of the Paul D. Camp Community College board and a member of Franklin Baptist Church, Franklin American Legion and Franklin Masonic Lodge.

Worrell and his wife, Rochelle, also a native of Southampton County, have three children.

Parker, a native of Franklin who attended the Franklin Public Schools, is a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College and University of Richmond Law School.

Parker practiced law with the firm of Parker, Clark & Parker from 1974 until 1986 when he was elected by the General Assembly of Virginia as a judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit, which serves Suffolk and Franklin, and Southampton County and Isle of Wight counties.

He has been the chief judge of the Fifth Circuit since 1999 and on the executive committee of the Judicial Conference of Virginia. He is chairman of the Pandemic Flu Preparedness Commission.

Parker has served on the Camp Foundation as a director since 1991 and is president of the foundation.

“I am proud to have been selected to help continue the legacy of generosity established by the Camp Family and the tradition of leadership set by our prior Executive Directors, Harold Atkinson and Bobby Worrell. Both men loved this area and have made all our lives better,” Parker said.

“It is my fervent desire to continue the leadership ideals set by the Camp Family and by my predecessors in making our community a better place to live. We are all aware of the effects the closure of the paper mill by International Paper has had on our citizens. I hope our foundations can help provide the leadership which will take us in a new direction.”