Paula has been a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing Norfolk’s 87th District, since 2005. She serves on the Science and Technology Committee and the Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety.
She is currently the Public Information Officer for the Norfolk Sheriff's Office, and from 1999 through 2009 she was the Public Information Officer for the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office. In these positions her responsibilities included serving as a liaison to media outlets, writing speeches, producing internal publications, and publishing articles for Virginia Sheriff magazine and a national Sheriff magazine. She also coordinated media coverage for the City of Virginia Beach/Sheriff’s Office during the D.C. sniper trial in 2003.
From 1984 through 1999, Paula was a television news reporter and substitute anchor for WTKR-TV 3 in Norfolk.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication from the State University of New York (SUNY Geneseo) where she graduated Cum Laude, with a minor in public relations. She also received her Associates degree in Communications Media/Mass Communications from Genesee Community College. She is a graduate of Attica Central High School in New York.
Paula has served on a number of committees, boards and community organizations including the following:
Member - Governor's Public Safety Memorial Commission (2008)
Member - Lake Taylor Hospital Advisory Board (2010-)
Member - Virginia Commission on the Centennial Celebration of Woodrow Wilson's Presidency (2010)
Member - Board of Trustees, Virginia War Memorial Foundation (2010)
Member - Greater Wards Corner Business Association
Member - Norfolk Crime Line Board
Member - League of Women Voters
Gateway Bank - Norfolk-Advisory Board Member (2006-2008)
Appointed by Norfolk City Council to Legends of Music Committee (2002)
Former Member - Mayor’s Task Force on Ocean View (Norfolk)
Former Member - Virginia Beach Crime Solvers Board
Member - Greater Pinewell Civic League
Member - East Ocean View Civic League
Member - Bayview Civic League
Coached Youth Soccer and Basketball
Paula is married to George E. Schaefer, III, Clerk of the Norfolk Circuit Court. Paula and George have two children, George (20) and Molly (17).
