Portsmouth City Council
Elizabeth M. Psimas, Councilwoman

Personal
Native of Portsmouth, Virginia
1979 Graduate of Westhampton College of the University of Richmond (B.A. Political Science)

Professional Experience:
1988 to present: President/Owner – Travel Designers Inc, a full service travel agency located at High & Crawford Streets in Olde Towne. Previous to opening Travel Designers, Elizabeth worked for a travel agency and in the maritime industry in an administrative capacity.

Political Experience:
Councilmember at Large – City of Portsmouth, Virginia (Elected in 2004 to a four year term, re-elected in 2008 to 4 year term)
Council Liaison - Mayor’s Military Affairs Commission
Council Liaison/Member - Hampton Roads Maritime Association
Council Liaison/Member - Cultural Alliance of Hampton Roads
Council Liaison/Member – Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC)
Council Liaison/Member – Hampton roads Transportation Planning Organization (HPTPO)
Virginia Municipal League – Transportation Committee

Commonwealth Commissioner – Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel Commission
(Appointed by Gov. Mark Warner in 2003 to four year term to represent the City of Portsmouth)

Awards
1998 – “Top 25 Business Women in Hampton Roads” by Virginia Business Magazine
1999 - “Strong, Smart and Bold Woman” award by Girls Inc, Center for Youth (In the first class of women to win this prestigious award)
2010 – “Community Service Award in Business’ by Virginia Desert Conference of Temples, P.P. Carlton W. Newton, #3 Imperial Deputy of the Desert of Virginia

Volunteer Service - Past Chairman/Director
Elizabeth River Project - Director
Portsmouth Service League – Past President
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce – Past Portsmouth Chairman
Olde Towne Business Association – Past President
Portsmouth Partnership – Past Director
HER Shelter – Past Director
Full Circle AIDS Hospice – Past Director
American Red Cross, Portsmouth/West Chesapeake – Past Director
City of Portsmouth Downtown Design Commission – Past Commissioner
City of Portsmouth Small & Minority Business Commission – Past Commissioner

Well traveled in North America, Hawaii, Mexico, Caribbean, Bermuda, Great Britain, Ireland, France, Spain, Monaco, Italy, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Russia, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, the Seychelles Islands, China, and Hong Kong.