When Reggie Dawson announced his retirement from Middleburg Bank, he was inundated with requests to serve on boards of directors and to help with worthy initiatives.

"I was honored by these requests because I have always believed in helping wherever I can, but I decided that I'm going to wait a while before I decide what to do next.

"I have always followed the golden rule, and I believe that if you treat people with respect, they will always trust and come back to you…. I am so grateful for the kindness and support everyone in Middleburg has given me over the years…. I will definitely continue to help where I can."

This gentle, distinguished and dedicated man exemplifies what citizenship and stewardship are about, and everyone in Middleburg has benefited from his support and kindness at one time or another.

The very idea that he will no longer be at Middleburg Bank seems impossible to many, but Reggie remembers his time there in exquisitely positive detail.

"I was born and raised in Middleburg," he remembers. "I attended Middleburg Elementary, graduated from Loudoun County High School in 1965 and joined the Air Force in March of 1966."

Ultimately stationed at Eglin AFB in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, his Dad came to pick him up when he finished his service.

"We cruised along back to Middleburg," he said, "toddling along until we got home."

"Tuesday of the next week, I went to Middleburg Bank to interview about a job my mother had heard about from Mr. Ed Wright, a good friend. They were looking for a teller, and when my mother said I might be suitable, they waited for my return from the Air Force to give me an interview."

William F. Curtis, president of Middleburg Bank and John Palmer interviewed Reggie, and they called him at home the very same day to offer him the job.

"We have to know if you will take the job," they said….

"Yes!" Reggie answered emphatically.

That was forty-two years ago. Forty-two years of exceptional service and dedication to the bank and to the community he loves.

"On my first day, February 2nd, 1970, I walked in the back door and met the woman who was to become my wife. In fact, when I was working on the 100th anniversary of Middleburg Elementary, I saw in the record books that she also attended Middleburg Elementary…. She was in the second grade when I was in the first."

Reggie and Gloria Jean Sutphin were married in October of 1971, and she agrees completely with his plan to wait a while before deciding what to do next.

"We don't plan a lot of exotic travel when I retire," he explained. "If we make it to Winchester or to Virginia Beach, it's a big day," Reggie said.

But he does remember how dedicated he and all the Middleburg Bank officers were to passing on their sense of stewardship to the younger executives.

"We always try to explain that we will have no success if we don't help our customers be successful. We have to get outside the bank into the community and care deeply about the people who walk through our doors."

"We lead by example," he emphasized. "That makes it possible for our young executives to see and understand the importance of truly caring for our community."

Over the years, Reggie has cared deeply about and dedicated many hours to Middleburg's Fire Department, the Windy Hill Foundation, Christmas in Middleburg, the United Methodist Church and many other important community initiatives. But he has also said "yes" to dozens of requests for help. In fact, no one can remember Reggie saying "no" to any request.

"Middleburg is changing, but everything changes," he said. "Once Salamander is open, I believe Sheila Johnson will have done the community an enormous favor by locating her resort here. We may be a bit overbanked now, but, if every bank supports the community the way it should, we will all benefit."

"I love to help make Middleburg successful in any way I can," he added. "As long as we keep our noses to the grindstone and take good care of our customers when they need help, we will always be successful."

"I will always believe that, if someone gives us a chance to help, we will always do better than anyone else."

When asked how he'd like to be remembered, Reggie simply said, "Thanks for the memories. I owe a wonderful career to the support I've received in Middleburg. I only hope I have returned those many favors fairly."

Without question, Reggie Dawson has returned those favors exceptionally well. And, according to everyone in Middleburg, his support and stewardship have been, and will continue to be, of enormous benefit to the community he loves.