Mayor Renée Turk

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.

Turk 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. In addition, Turk won reelection in November of 2024, by amassing 7,148, the most votes ever received by a City Council candidate in Salem.

But history is nothing new to the Turk family. Her husband David taught history and government at Salem High School for three decades and he also made some history of his own coaching volleyball and lacrosse for 33 years each. David continues to volunteer coach for Salem High School and helps athletes across the valley.

All three of their children are successful athletes and graduates of Salem City Schools. Michael is a Financial Planner for Focus One the Director of Finance for Capital One on Rt. 419 in Roanoke and is also part-owner of Olde Salem Brewing. Daniel is a realtor here in Salem for Re-Max, and Rachel is a Dr. and Clinical Psychologist counseling the athletes in the Athletic Department at the University of Richmond.

Mayor Turk graduated from Roanoke College in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in business administration, economics, and education. She has taught business classes at William Fleming and Salem High schools and placed students with local businesses to work, was the general sales manager at Saturn of Roanoke Valley, a Regional Sales Manager for Your Community PhoneBook, and an account executive for Q99. She retired from Wheeler Broadcasting in 2014.

This is her 3rd term as Mayor, having served 2 terms, 2020 and 2022, and will now serve through 2026. Her current term on council expires on December 31, 2028, and you can contact Mayor Turk here.