2019 - present City of Norfolk Intergovernmental Affairs Officer

2016 --Assistant Director Dept of Public Works--"Transportation"  City Of Norfolk

2016-2018 - City of Norfolk Transportation Department

2014-2016 Regional Director for Community and Member Outreach Virginia Hospital & Health Care Association

2010-2013: Director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. Accomplishments during these four years include the following:

During this time rail service to Norfolk VA was restored after 32 years of absence, the contract was executed to provide passenger rail service to Roanoke, VA and performance metrics and new funding was developed for transit and the first dedicated funding source for passenger rail service in VA was created.

2005-2008: Thelma served in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Virginia's 2nd Congressional District (Virginia Beach, the Eastern Shore, and parts of Norfolk and Hampton). Committee assignments included House Armed Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, Resources, and Education and Workforce.

1996-2004: While a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, Thelma represented the 87th House District (Norfolk and Virginia Beach). She served on such committees as General Laws; Corporations, Insurance and Banking; Finance; and Transportation. She chaired the Housing Study Commission and served on the Chesapeake Bay Commission.

Prior to serving in Congress: Thelma was widely known in the Hampton Roads area as a successful Realtor and an active community volunteer.

Thelma is married to Ted Drake

Thelma can be contacted at td@thelmadrake.com.

Page updated January 2021

By Eli