Congratulations to the 2025 Northumberland Distinguished Citizen – A. Mason Brent

Please help us celebrate this year's Northumberland Distinguished Citizen, A. Mason Brent, at the NAPS Fall Social, Sunday Oct. 19. 4-7pm at the Tavern Meeting Building/Grounds in Heathsville. Register online today!

The Northumberland Association for Progressive Stewardship (NAPS) has named A. Mason Brent the 2025 Distinguished Citizen Award recipient for his dedication to conservation and service to the Northumberland County community.

The Brent family has owned the century farm Roanoke in Heathsville for five generations. As a retired executive of clean energy companies, Mason lives the life of a gentleman farmer, managing 650 acres in Northumberland County while embracing proper land use, resource preservation and conservation practices. The A. Mason Brent Family was named the Northern Neck Land Conservancy’s “Conservation Champion” in 2017.

Directly, and through his family foundation, Mason has been a significant contributor to the social and economic welfare of Northumberland County, supporting the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Northern Neck Land Conservancy, Rappahannock Community College, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, River Counties Community Foundation, Northumberland County Library, and other organizations and projects.  Mason played a major role in establishing the Northumberland Family YMCA in Heathsville, retrofitting the vacant high school gymnasium into a first-class recreational center.  More recently, Mason led a fund-raising effort of $2 million, including a large donation by the Brent family, to enclose the YMCA swimming pool for year-round use.  The Brent family also recently contributed land and financial support to the Boys and Girls Club of the Northern Neck for the Roanoke Farm Ball Fields. 

Mason has demonstrated his commitment to sustain the quality of life and environment of our county by preserving its character through conservation, educational scholarships, and the creation of jobs and educational and recreational opportunities.

The formal presentation of the Northumberland Distinguished Citizen Award will take place at the NAPS Annual Fall Social, Sunday, October 19 at the Tavern Meeting Building and Grounds in Heathsville.