About Bob Oakes
I’ve been a resident of Nags Head since 1984, when I arrived fresh from UVa with an English degree, and got a job washing pots and pans at A Restaurant By George. I met my future wife (and mother of our two children) that first summer at the restaurant, and got experience busing tables, and the next year, waiting tables. I was fortunate to meet Dr. Craven Williams, who hired me as his first employee in Nags Head, a manager for a condominium association in 1986. After 7 years of property management experience, I had the opportunity to purchase the Village Realty business in 1993. In 2009, Village Realty employs about 300 people at the peak of the summer.
When Village Realty could not find a dependable vendor to wash our weekly turnover of sheets and towels, I started Whitecap Linen with a partner. After a catastrophic fire in 2006, we rebuilt and I bought my partners out, just before a second, smaller fire in 2007. Whitecap Linen employs about 250 at the peak of the summer – we washed nearly 1,000,000 pounds of laundry in July of 2009.
I have a 25 year history in Nags Head, and I hope to help shape a positive future for our town and citizens. I think it’s possible for government and business to cooperate better in the Town. I am concerned with the prospect of local business remaining viable in our community.
I’ve witnessed some great examples of community minded citizens in Nags Head. George Crocker, Ray White and Carl Nunemaker stand out as businessmen who made significant contributions back to the community while running successful local businesses. I’ve had the good fortune to follow these leaders in the Outer Banks Community Foundation and the Friends of Jockeys Ridge, and I know we’ve benefited from the vision of Nags Headers like George and Carl. I was fortunate to find a home in Nags Head, and form a successful business team – I’d like the opportunity to give back to the community by serving as your Mayor.