Mayor & Council

Lori Athey Cockrell is a lifelong resident of Front Royal, graduating from Warren County High School in 1985.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Mary Washington and a Master’s degree from McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College).

Lori has spent her 30 year career as an educator in Warren County, and currently serves as the fifth grade team leader at Hilda J. Barbour Elementary School.  She was an active supporter of her children’s sports and activities over their childhood years, and continues to see the value in providing children with opportunities to represent their community with their talents.

She is a member and regularly attends Front Royal United Methodist Church.  Lori and her husband, Ricky, have two children, Patrick “Blake” and Anneslee.

Lori made the decision to get involved in local town government to give back to the community which she loves.  She looks forward to hearing from town citizens about their concerns and thoughts regarding how they want their town to operate and move forward in the future.

Appointed 8/17; Elected as Councilmember 11/20, term ending 12/2024

Elected 11/22 as Mayor, term ends 12/31/24

Elected at Special Election 11/22, term ends 12/31/24 (Lloyd Seat)

Josh was born in West Virginia but has spent the last 20 years living in the Shenandoah Valley. He moved to Front Royal in 2015 because it checked all the boxes for his love of history, the outdoor amenities offered, and Front Royal’s convenient location at the heart of Virginia’s finest valley. Josh grew up with a sense of community service having been a part of the Boy Scouts, 4-H, and playing various sports throughout his scholastic career. As an adult, he has served as a volunteer with numerous museums, local charitable groups, and non-profit organizations. In 2003, he graduated from Marshall University with a BA in History.

Josh won his election with the intention of keeping the boxes checked for why we live here. As a former member of the planning commission that rewrote the town’s comprehensive plan, he looks forward to promoting a Front Royal that will keep its charm intact and stay as a haven for those who currently call it home.

When not working as a project manager for a security integrator within the DC metropolitan area, he enjoys studying history, flying airplanes, and traveling with his family and friends.

Elected 11/22, term ends 12/31/26

Born and raised in Front Royal/Warren County Amber has a passion for preserving the small town charm that this community provides. She is the mother of three children, a community activist, a volunteer to several organizations locally, and a residential mortgage loan originator by trade. 

Amber’s entire career is in finance and lending from corporate national banks to being a part of a successful start-up local mortgage brokerage. Amber’s background in finance coupled with her determination to govern with common sense and limited government is what she was elected to bring to Front Royal. 

Amber sought her seat on council as a mother who intends to raise her children here in a safe, prosperous, and community driven locality. The deep sense of community is what sets Front Royal apart from other localities, she says. Amber is always open and eager to learning about new and differing perspectives,  businesses, strategic planning and growth, and economic development.

Elected Special Election 11/21 end 12/22

Elected General Election 11/22, term ends 12/31/26

Melissa DeDomenico-Payne was born in New York and moved to Front Royal at the age of 2. She received a wonderful education and graduated from Warren County’s public school system. Melissa earned degrees at Shenandoah University (B.A. English and B.S. Psychology, magna cum laude); Marymount University (M.A. Psychological Services – Counseling); and Capella University (Doctor of Public Administration, graduated with distinction). She also completed the “Leadership Plenty” program through UVA’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. She considers herself a life-long learner and enjoys learning from people and life experiences in addition to classroom learning.

Aside from a brief period in Tennessee, Melissa has lived the greater portion of her adult life in Virginia and Front Royal/Warren County. Most of Melissa’s career has been spent in executive and administrative roles within non-profit and educational organizations at the national, state, regional, and local levels. Melissa is a Grants Manager at Laurel Ridge Community College and also operates a small part-time contracting business to assist non-profits and educational groups with short-term projects typically involving research, writing, and development.

Melissa and her husband Bill have been married for nearly 30 years; she has three stepsons, one son, and one daughter. She loves spending time with family, traveling, writing, and working. Grateful for her appointment to the Council, Melissa looks forward to opportunities that will promote positive community engagement and allow her to contribute her own gifts and talents in service to the Council and this beautiful community.

Appointed 1/23/23, term ends upon special election 11/23

Original Term ends 12/31/24(Cockrell Seat)

Bruce Rappaport was born, raised, and educated in Front Royal Virginia. After graduating from Warren County High School, Bruce went on to study at Virginia Tech and Shenandoah University where he earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Management. Bruce has spent his professional career in Supply Chain Management working for multi-million dollar companies in electronics, telecommunications, aerospace, and high end weapons manufacturing. He has been a dedicated member of the Association of Supply Chain Management for over 30 years.

Since Bruce's family operated a local business on Main Street for over 90 years before closing in 2002, he fully understands the importance of supporting local businesses as well as charities in our community.  In his spare time, he prefers to enjoy the many outdoor activities that are available in our community.  Bruce decided to pursue local office in order to contribute something back to the town and community that taught him the importance of civic lessons and hometown pride.

He looks forward to working with his fellow council members, town staff, and most importantly our citizens in order to make our town a special place to live, work, and play.

Elected 11/22, term ends 12/31/26

Skip proudly served in the U.S. Army, with active duty as a Military Police-Dog Handler between 1968-70 and the U.S. Army Reserve between 1970-74. Skip is a Service-Disabled Veteran and Founder/CEO of Able Forces Professional Services (AFPS) and Founder/Executive Director of Able Forces Foundation (AFF), both supporting wounded, ill, and injured military and veterans.

Skip has over 45 years of business leadership and professional services consulting experience primarily in the Defense and Military sectors. Since 2009, he has employed over 60 service-disabled veterans, virtually all supporting classified defense contracts.

Skip was co-author with his wife Kathy and the Publisher of “Who, What, Where in Silicon Valley”, published in 1983. 

Skip has been married to his wife Kathy for 47 years.  They have 2 daughters; Shawna and Lisa, and 4 grandchildren.

In 2018 Skip and AFF was nationally recognized as the U.S. Marine Corps recipient of the Department of Defense Spirit of Hope Award.  Presented by each military branch to an individual the best exemplifies the spirit of Bob Hope and his contributions to the military.  Awarded in 2018, Hall of Heroes, Pentagon.

Appointed 10/11/22, term ends upon Special Election 11/23

Original Term 12/31/24 (McFadden Seat)