Carroll Chadwick Ballard Jr.

Carroll Chadwick (Chad) Ballard Jr., 54, of Norfolk passed away at his Flicker Point home on October 27, 2004. A native of Norfolk, he is survived by his beloved wife, Dorothy (Dottie) and their two children, Tucker Harrison Ballard and C. Chadwick Ballard III. Mr. Ballard is also survived by his loving parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. Chadwick Ballard Sr. of Norfolk; and his sister, Brenda Ballard Magill and her husband, Dr. D. Hamilton Magill of Athens, Georgia. Following his graduation from the Norfolk Academy and the University of Virginia, Mr. Ballard obtained his Masters in business administration from the Darden School of Business. He began his career in Richmond as a banker before moving to Atlanta as an executive with Atlanta Fish, Inc., a family-owned business. He returned to Norfolk in 1986 and became president of Ballard Fish & Oyster, a company founded in 1895 by his grandfather and great uncles. Mr. Ballard became a pioneer in scientific aquaculture as chief executive officer of Cherrystone Aqua-Farms on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. His companies soon developed into leading national growers and distributors of shellfish, and Mr. Ballard became an instrumental force in the development of the Virginia seafood industry. Governor Baliles appointed him to the Virginia Aquaculture Advisory Board, and at the request of Governor Wilder he served on the Virginia Marine Products Board. In 1997 Governor Allen named him as an Associate Commissioner of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, a post to which he was reappointed by Governor Gilmore in 2001. His leadership and business acumen was also evident at the Virginia Seafood Council, where he served as president and as vice president for Legislative Affairs. Mr. Ballard was a member of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science Council, citizen advisory committee to the Institute. He became well-known to members of the Virginia Congressional delegation and the Virginia General Assembly as a tireless spokesman for the seafood industry, admired for his knowledge of issues and his skills in resolving difficult problems affecting business, consumers, and the environment. Mr. Ballard was honored as Conservationist of the Year by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in 1995. His many activities in the community included vestryman of his church and membership in The Norfolk Assembly and The Norfolk German Club. He served as president and as a director of the Norfolk Yacht & Country Club, where he was instrumental in the planning of the 1996 Centennial Celebration and the development of the Family Activity Center. His many contributions to the community and commerce notwithstanding, Mr. Ballard's greatest devotion and pride were always dedicated to his children. He was an outstanding amateur chef, and will be remembered by his friends for his warm hospitality and incomparable grace. Services will be conducted at noon on Friday, October 29, 2004 at Christ and St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Norfolk. The Reverend James W.H. Sell will preside. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, Norfolk chapel has been placed in charge of arrangements. The family suggests that those considering memorial contributions offer them to the Second Century Campaign of Christ and St. Luke's or to the Norfolk Botanical Garden Children's Garden, World of Wonders.