2023-2024 Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia Annual Report

Summary

The 2023-2024 Annual Report of the Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia, which the report presents as a review of accomplishments. A letter from the Executive Director, Kristie Helmick Proctor, states that the Center was created by the Virginia legislature 20 years ago and that on March 26, 2024, Governor Glenn Youngkin signed HB 1381 and SB 704 to rename it for Senator Ruff. The letter also says the Center completed the third year of the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute with 28 graduates and announced the Rural Virginia Opportunity Dashboard. The remaining sections cover organizational structure, projects, partnerships, leadership and boards.

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Full text

2023-2024
Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia
Annual Report


Our Mission
The Virginia Rural Center is a collaborative partnership of the Senator Frank M.
Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia and the Council for Rural Virginia, which work
together on a joint mission to work with policymakers and stakeholders to create
innovative solutions and expand entrepreneurial opportunities to ensure economic
prosperity for all regions in the Commonwealth. The creation of the Center was a
recommendation of the Rural Prosperity Commission, created by the General
Assembly.



Our History
Created by the General Assembly in 2004, the Center for Rural Virginia works to
advance economic development, job creation, workforce development, education,
infrastructure, healthcare and other vital initiatives for the prosperity of rural Virginia.
                               Table of Contents
    Center for Rural Virginia – A Review of Accomplishments
                            2023- 2024
A Letter from the Executive
                                ……………………………………………………………Page 5
          Director

  Organizational Structure      ……………………………………………………………Page 7

Project Overview & Specific
                                …..………………………………………………………Page 10
     Accomplishments
Partnerships & Collaborative
                                .…………………………………………………………Page 17
           Efforts
        Leadership              …….……………………………………………………Page 19

   Contact Information          …………..………………………………………………Page 21




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Dear Friends,

This was a very special year for the Center, and we are so appreciative and grateful of these
memorable milestones in our organization’s history! The year 2024 marks exactly 20 years ago when
the Center was created by the Virginia legislature, and we were thankful to celebrate this joyous
milestone! In addition to the 20 year anniversary, on March 26, 2024, Governor Glenn Youngkin
signed legislation, HB 1381 and SB 704, to rename the Center for Rural Virginia as the Senator
Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia. Additionally, the legislation for the renaming of the
organization was a priority for Governor Youngkin’s Administration and supported by all 140
members of the Virginia General Assembly. The renaming is a tribute to one of the Center’s
founding members and former Chair, Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Our new name pays tribute to all
the tireless work that Senator Ruff did to advance rural Virginia.

Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia (The Center) continues to build on recent
successes and had an impressive and impactful year. It has been an exciting time for our
organization as we completed the third year of the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute (VRLI) and
congratulated 28 graduates who will now go onto complete their community impact projects within
their respective rural communities. VRLI is the Commonwealth’s first and only leadership program
that was created by the Center with the goal of retaining and attracting the best and brightest in our
rural communities. With VRLI launching three years ago, many of the community impact projects
are coming into fruition and receiving great feedback from their communities.

The Center was very excited to announce the creation of the Rural Virginia Opportunity Dashboard
this year and implementation will continue into 2025. This will be a groundbreaking project aimed at
empowering rural communities across Virginia. This cutting-edge platform will deliver dynamic,
data-driven insights to spotlight the incredible strengths of rural areas while listing vital funding
opportunities. The dashboard will be packed with essential statistics on demographics, housing,
education, business, and health, the dashboard will also feature interactive asset maps showcasing
key infrastructure and community resources. A standout feature, the Rural Resource Index, will
serve as a powerful guide to funding opportunities at all levels, empowering governments, non-
profits, businesses, and individuals to drive impactful projects. With downloadable reports and trend
data, this game-changing tool will help stakeholders unlock the full potential of rural Virginia!

In addition to our events, featured leadership programs and one-of-a-kind projects, the Center
continues to serve as an educator, convener and facilitator of programs and initiatives that work
towards making rural Virginia Thrive. The Executive Director at the Center continues to serve as
statewide spokesperson on issues pertaining to Rural Virginia. In addition to her duties of running
the organization, the Executive Director continues to place a large focus on fundraising to ensure
that the Center’s events, programming and projects can move forward.


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This past year the Center celebrated many successes, including a substantial increase of state
supported financial investment included in the Governor’s proposed budget and overwhelmingly
supported by the state legislature.

The Center was thrilled to launch the Rural Virginia Opportunity Dashboard, graduate the class of
2024 Virginia Rural Leadership Institute, a historic and recording breaking 2024 Governor’s Summit
on Rural Prosperity in Wytheville, the 2024 Rural Caucus Legislative Breakfast, and continued to
serve as staff to host and organize regular meetings of the Virginia General Assembly Rural Caucus
during the 2024 General Assembly session.

We hope you enjoy reading this report where you will find a summary of the Center’s activities. It
continues to be a privilege to work and meet with many of our friends in rural Virginia, as we
traveled to all corners of the Commonwealth. We sincerely appreciate the dedication and hard work
from The Board of Directors at the Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia. We are
grateful to have an incredible Board that cares deeply about the success of rural Virginia and works
hard to ensure the Center’s success. .

Warm regards,



Kristie Helmick Proctor
Executive Director
The Virginia Rural Center




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Organizational Structure
Executive Director

The Center for Rural Virginia hired the Executive Director, Kristie Helmick Proctor in 2017. Since
that time, the Center has launched and implemented the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute, created
the Rural Virginia Opportunity Dashboard, heightened the visibility of the Center and serve as a
convener and educator for rural Virginia.

Additionally, the Executive Director has been able to obtain historic levels of investment from the
private sector and from the state budget to ensure programming can grow and continue while being
faced with record high inflation and expanding capacity and programming.

2024 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity

The Virginia Rural Center held the 2024 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity in Wytheville,
Virginia and this annual event was one for the record books, bringing together a record number of
attendees. 300 attendees came from 46 different counties and 19 different cities throughout Virginia.

In honor of our 20th Anniversary, Governor Glenn Youngkin, as part of his keynote address, also
issued an official proclamation recognizing the Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia.
In addition, to Governor Youngkin, Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears and the Honorable Don
Scott, Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates were featured speakers at the Summit, along with
multiple members of the Governor’s cabinet. The agenda, which also included legislators from
across Virginia, featured presentations on economic development, as well as in-depth panel
discussions on rural energy collaboration, innovation to enhance rural healthcare and attracting a
next-generation workforce to rural Virginia.


Board Meetings
In addition to hosting an all-virtual Board meeting, the Center was pleased to host quarterly Board
meetings in the following locations:

     •   King William, VA
     •   Goochland VA
     •   Wytheville, VA

Collective Services Agreement

The Center for Rural Virginia is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization established by the Virginia
General Assembly in 2004. The creation of the Center was a recommendation of the Rural
Prosperity Commission, created by the General Assembly in 2000. The goal of the Commission was
"Prosperity for all Virginians". The 18-member Commission was instructed by the General
Assembly to “undertake a detailed analysis of rural Virginia economies and recommend flexible but
targeted state policies which, combined with local efforts, will help foster sustainable economic
growth in Virginia’s rural areas.”



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The Center currently operates in a collaborative partnership with the Council for Rural Virginia
through a collective services agreement as the Virginia Rural Center. The two organizations operate
independently but share an executive director and operate in conjunction to fulfill their joint mission
of economic prosperity for rural communities throughout Virginia.

The final report of the Rural Prosperity Commission was issued in December 2001 and featured
specific policy recommendations, including the creation of the Center for Rural Virginia to address
the obstacles and capitalize on the many opportunities of Rural Virginia. In 2004, founding board
members Senator Frank Ruff and Delegate Steve Landes sponsored the enabling legislation, creating
the Center.

The 21-member board of the Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia works in
partnership with the Council for Rural Virginia. Together, the Center and the Council work with
policymakers and regulators as well private sector stakeholders to improve economic opportunities
and preserve the quality of life throughout rural Virginia.

Institutional Partners

In addition to the support of the Virginia General Assembly and the Governor’s Office, the Virginia
Rural Center continues to enjoy partnerships with two other entities that make the daily operations
of the Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia and the Council for Rural Virginia
efficient, effective, and successful.

The first is the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). This
agency provides office space for the Executive Director. Additionally, DHCD provides back-office
support and assistance that enhances the productivity and accessibility at The Virginia Rural Center.

The second is Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. The
Virginia Rural Center’s partnership with VCE provides assets and operational efficiencies that
enhance the cost-effective operation for the organization. Additionally, Virginia Tech serves as the
payroll agent to the Executive Director.




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Annual Sponsors

The Virginia Rural Center is fortunate to have numerous organizational sponsors committed to the
Center’s mission and rural prosperity. The Executive Director spends a large amount of time
obtaining financial support from various businesses and organizations to ensure the Center is
successful.

The 2024 Annual Sponsors include (in alphabetical order):

   •   All Points Broadband
   •   Appalachian Power
   •   Cozen O’Connor
   •   Dominion Energy
   •   Farm Bureau of Virginia
   •   Farm Credit
   •   Joint Industrial Development Authority of Wise County
   •   Letterpress Communications
   •   Lumos
   •   Old Dominion Electric Cooperative
   •   Rappahannock Electric Cooperative
   •   RiverLink Group
   •   River Street Networks
   •   Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project
   •   The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
   •   The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission
   •   University of Virginia Wise
   •   Virginia Broadband Industry Association
   •   Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority
   •   Virginia Cooperative Extension
   •   Virginia Ed Strategies
   •   Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association
   •   Virginia Housing
   •   Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation
   •   Virginia Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives
   •   Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative
   •   Virginia Resources Authority
   •   Virginia Rural Health Association




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Project Overview & Status Updates
2024 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity
The two-day annual event occurred in Southwest Virginia in beautiful Wytheville and started with a
20-year anniversary celebration with former and current Board members in attendance. This year’s
rural summit event included a record number of attendees – nearly 300 – who came from 46
different counties and 19 different cities throughout Virginia.

Governor Youngkin served as the keynote speaker and in honor of its 20th anniversary, he issued an
official proclamation recognizing the Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia,
celebrating two decades of dedicated service to rural communities across the Commonwealth.

Delivering the proclamation at the Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity was fitting given that the
annual event brings together state, business and civic leaders to explore the future of rural Virginia
and discuss innovative initiatives occurring in rural communities.

In addition to Youngkin, Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears and the Honorable Don Scott, Speaker
of the Virginia House of Delegates, presented at the Summit, along with multiple members of the
Governor’s cabinet, including Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick, Secretary of
Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr and Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Travis
Voyles. First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin provided opening day remarks via video.

The agenda featured presentations on economic development – including an update on the
Accelerate Southwest Viginia initiative – as well as in-depth panel discussions on rural energy
collaboration, innovation to enhance rural health care and attracting a next-generation workforce to
rural Virginia. Another panel explored how Wytheville is effectively capturing the assets of a rural
community to drive the local economy.

Additionally, field trips were built into the agenda to allow attendees to explore all that Wytheville
had to offer in agriculture, natural resources and downtown revitalization. The field trips included
visits and guided tours of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Fish Hatchery, Virginia
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Animal Lab and a walking tour of downtown
Wytheville.


2024 Legislative Rural Caucus Breakfast

Legislators, Board members, rural stakeholders and Administration officials attended a breakfast at
the General Assembly Building to discuss legislation and the upcoming session. This networking
event allowed conversations to occur among key stakeholders and legislators while the General
Assembly was in session.




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Virginia General Assembly’s Rural Caucus

The Virginia Rural Center (VRC) organized and staffed numerous meetings of the Virginia General
Assembly’s Rural Caucus during the 2024 General Assembly session. Senator Emily Jordan served as
Chair of the Rural Caucus, Delegate Sam Rasoul served as Vice Chair of the Rural Caucus

The special guests for the 2024 Rural Caucus meeting included:
   • The Honorable Caren Merrick, Virginia’s Secretary of Commerce & Trade
   • The Honorable Matthew Lohr, Virginia’s Secretary of Agriculture & Forestry
   • The Honorable Travis Voyles, Virginia’s Secretary of Natural Resources
   • The Honorable Bryan Slater, Virginia’s Secretary of Labor
   • The Honorable John Littel, Virginia’s Secretary of Health & Human Resources
   • The Honorable Don Scott, Speaker, The Virginia House of Delegates
   • Bryan Horn, Director, Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development
   • Dr. Tamarah Holmes, Director, Office of Broadband at the Virginia Department of
       Housing and Community Development

The Rural Caucus provides an opportunity for legislators and stakeholders to learn about legislation
and initiatives impacting rural areas of the Commonwealth. At the Rural Caucus meetings, legislators
heard from stakeholders and cabinet members about legislation and its potential effect on rural
Virginia.

Rural Caucus meetings continue to provide a forum to share information, learn, and collaborate to
increase prosperity across rural Virginia.

Virginia Rural Leadership Institute

In its third year, the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute (VRLI) continued to fulfill its mission to
retain, attract, and develop rural Virginians into innovative, responsible, and civic-minded leaders
who build strong communities. The program remains highly competitive, with applications once
again exceeding available spots. The third annual cohort, announced in April 2024, included 28
members from across the Commonwealth, representing a diverse range of backgrounds and
perspectives.

With its inaugural cohort established in 2022, VRLI has since grown and evolved over the years to
address the unique challenges faced by rural Virginia and the limited opportunities for leadership
programs focused specifically on rural leaders. Strong civic-minded leadership has been well-
documented as a driver of community vitality, and VRLI seeks to foster such leadership to
strengthen rural communities across the Commonwealth.

The program's development began in 2019 with extensive research and consultation with statewide
leadership development program directors to design a curriculum tailored to the specific needs of
rural leaders. This foundation ensured a focus on the critical skills required to navigate both current
and future challenges in rural communities. The program’s success has been bolstered by a diverse
network of partners, who have played an instrumental role in the competitive selection process.




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The Virginia Rural Center was pleased to see the following Cohort members graduate in November
2024 and looks forward to seeing each of them continue to make meaningful contributions in their
communities:

Shanetta Beck, City of Emporia
Community and Economic Development Director, City of Emporia

Lincoln Boykin, Lancaster County
Director of Affiliate Foundations, Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond

Jonathan Comer, Page County
SVP - Commercial Lender, The First Bank & Trust Company

J. David Conmy, City of Richmond
Deputy County Administrator & Economic Development Director, Sussex County

Michael Crouse, Roanoke County
Business Development Manager, ECS, Mid-Atlantic

Matthew Culbreath, Dinwiddie
Director of Planning and Zoning, City of Emporia

Brian Falin, Wise County
Industrial Development Supervisor/Executive Director, Wise County

Heather Fay, Botetourt County
Business Advisor + Regional Program Director, Greater Roanoke & NRV Small Business
Development Center

Brandy Flint, Rockbridge County
Director of Economic Development, Rockbridge County

Andrew Franzyshen, Dinwiddie County
Director of Environment, Housing, and Economic Development, Crater Planning District
Commission

Ian Ginger, City of Richmond
Economic Development Program Director, George Washington Regional Commission

Gerald Goad, Hillsville
Clerk of the Circuit Court, Carroll County

Jess Gray, Chatham
CEO, Gray’s Lambscaping LLC

Matt Herron, Christiansburg
Business Development Manager, Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services

James Houchins, Patrick County
Director of Tourism and Marketing, Patrick County


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Katelyn Jordan, Pungo
Local & State Advocacy Specialist, Regulatory Coordinator, Virginia Farm Bureau

Kellie Lipscomb, Dinwiddie
Drug Abuse Treatment Specialist, Federal Correctional Institution

Brooke Love, Carroll County
Tourism Director, Carroll County

Jacob McCaleb, Warsaw
Business Services Representative, Bay Consortium Workforce Development Board

Stephanie Norris, City of Richmond
Senior Research Analyst, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Kristen Pudlow, Prince George County
Deputy County Administrator, Prince George County

Holley Scheffel, Bedford County
Business Programs Coordinator, Bedford County

Giles Scott, Warsaw
Youth Program Influencer, Bay Consortium Workforce Development Board

Jennifer Stevens, South Boston
President and CEO, Virginia Ed Strategies

Josh Taylor, Alleghany
Executive Director, Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

Tara Tuck, Clarksville
Economic Development & Tourism, Town of Clarksville

Jack Wall, Floyd
Board Chair & Senior Executive, Wall Residences

Zachary Whitlow, City of Richmond
Community Vitality Program Administrator, Department of Housing & Community Development

Each VRLI program spans two years, offering comprehensive leadership development experience.
During the first year, cohort members engage in four immersive 3-day sessions held across various
rural regions of the Commonwealth. These sessions provide opportunities to learn from the
successes and challenges unique to each region, complemented by insights from guest speakers who
share their expertise. The second year builds on this foundation, as VRLI graduates apply their skills
through a Community Impact Project, demonstrating their growth and commitment to creating
positive change in their communities.




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2024 Session Locations included:

•   Southern Virginia
    • Danville & South Boston
•   Southwest Virginia
    • Abingdon, Bristol, & Marion
•   Middle Peninsula & Northern Neck
    • Tappahannock, Warsaw, and the Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe in King William
•   Shenandoah Valley
    • Staunton, Weyers Cave, & Broadway

These VRLI sessions offer immersive experience in the host region's rural communities, where
cohort members explore recent economic and community development achievements. Additionally,
the sessions serve as a direct investment in the local economies by bringing participants to the area,
showcasing local businesses, and highlighting regional assets.

These sessions feature engaging discussions and presentations from experts, providing valuable
insights and fostering a deeper understanding of the region's successes and challenges. The
discussions spanned a wide variety of topics, including:


•   Agriculture & Forestry Challenges
•   Agritourism
•   Broadband
•   Effective Communications
•   Energy Innovations
•   Community Engagement & Storytelling
•   Difficult Conversations
•   Economic Growth & Innovative Housing
•   Engaging with Elected Officials & the Government
•   Faith in Rural Communities
•   Growing Your Network
•   Leadership Development
•   Main Street Revitalization
•   Organization & Funding
•   Regional Collaboration
•   Rural Entrepreneurship
•   Rural Health
•   Rural Housing
•   Rural Indicators & Demographics
•   Rural K-12 Education
•   Rural Media
•   Tribal Governance
•   Youth in Rural Communities




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The 2024 VRLI Community Impact Projects include:

   Economic Development

      •   Develop a private capital fund to revitalize the Town of Shenandoah.
      •   Create a Virginia Regional Exchange (VREx) to promote mutual understanding and
          advocacy among regions.
      •   Collaborate with local Main Street organizations to spearhead Community Business Launch
          (CBL) applications.
      •   Assist communities in applying for funding to encourage private investment, create jobs, and
          redevelop abandoned properties.
      •   Install EV charging stations in key areas to boost tourism and downtown economic activity.

   Housing

      •   Develop a workforce housing blueprint for rural communities, with a specific focus on the
          Northern Neck.
      •   Address the lack of housing options for essential workers by planning shovel-ready projects
          and securing funding for workforce housing development.

   Agriculture and Food

      •   Strengthen rural farming profitability through the adoption of biochar and composting.
      •   Establish a community farm labor portal to connect farmers with workers and resources.

   Community Development

      •   Create a strategic childcare plan, including a resource hub and survey-driven action items.
      •   Enhance and preserve access to public recreational spaces like Big Reed Island Creek.
      •   Renovate the Historic Carroll County Courthouse for community events and historical
          preservation.
      •   Establish better communication tools for citizens to engage with local government
          effectively.

   K-12 Education

      •   Develop regional talent pipeline programs to prepare K-12 students for high-demand jobs.
      •   Provide high school students with access to after-school STEM programs and skill-building
          activities.
      •   Create educational resources on renewable energy targeted at middle school students in
          Southwest Virginia.

   Workforce Development

      •   Expand career pathways for persons with disabilities through integrated resource teams.
      •   Implement a workforce training program for solar farm operations, focusing on local career
          development.



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Tourism

    •   Establish EV charging stations in various regions to attract visitors and support tourism
        activities.
    •   Boost access to recreational activities in key areas to enhance local tourism.

Health and Social Services

    •   Challenge stigma surrounding mental health and educate children and parents about mental
        health awareness.

Data and Research

    •   Evaluate wraparound services at rural community colleges to elevate their role as economic
        engines.
    •   Promote rural collaboration through data-driven initiatives and stakeholder engagement.

Financial support from sponsors is essential to the success of the VRLI program, enabling the year-
over-year development of more rural leaders throughout the Commonwealth.

The 2024 annual sponsors to the VRLI program include (in alphabetical order):

•   Appalachian Power
•   Danville Community College Educational Foundation
•   Dominion Energy
•   Microsoft
•   Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation
•   RiverLink Group
•   Virginia Housing
•   Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative
•   Virginia Rural Health Association




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Partnerships and Collaborative Efforts
The Virginia Rural Center engages in numerous partnerships and collaborative efforts with other
organizations. These partners, often sharing aligned missions, exponentially strengthen the Rural
Center’s efforts and provide a platform to elevate the Commonwealth’s rural issues.

Taskforce for Economic Growth in Rural Virginia

A collaborative effort organized by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), the
Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission (TRRC), and the Virginia Rural Center. The
group officially launched in 2023 and works to foster a positive impact through collaborative and
action-oriented efforts. The primary goal is to address rural areas' concerns and work together to
discover sustainable solutions. The taskforce works to exchange insights on ongoing initiatives in
different communities and delve into the current challenges faced by rural areas.

Partners for Rural America, Board of Directors Member

Partners for Rural America (PRA) was founded in 1998 to support the efforts of its member State
Rural Development Councils (SRDCs), which are uniquely positioned to expand economic and
social opportunities for America's rural communities and their residents, promote equal treatment of
rural America by government agencies and the private sector and provide a collective voice for rural
America. Joined in January 2018, the PRA Board of Directors provides a networking platform for
other state rural center leaders to share successes and answer inquiries on best practices in member
states.

Broadband Advisory Council, Board Member

The Broadband Advisory Council was established to help determine the Commonwealth's goals for
broadband and how best to achieve them. The Rural Center’s executive director gathers knowledge
and contributes thought to further advocate for broadband expansion across the Commonwealth.

Virginia Housing, Rural Housing Advisory Council Member

The Rural Housing Advisory Council (RHAC) is a cross-regional group that will provide guidance
and expertise to Virginia Housing regarding housing issues in rural Virginia. Mrs. Proctor became a
member of Virginia Housing’s Rural Housing Advisory Council in August 2018, and she is pleased
to take on this role and provide additional insight to the housing needs in rural Virginia.

Legislative Sportsmen Caucus, Participant

Formed in 2004, the Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus is a bipartisan, bicameral group of
legislators dedicated to protecting and advancing hunting, fishing, trapping and recreational shooting
in Virginia. Regular involvement by the Rural Center in the Legislative Sportsmen Caucus includes
participating in and recruitment for weekly legislative sportsman caucus meetings and providing
support for the annual sportsman caucus retreat.




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Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Rural Initiative Steering Group, Member

The Richmond Fed created this group with the goal of bringing together leaders who help rural
areas and small towns thrive. Participants collaborate on the needs and challenges that are facing
rural communities, as well as highlighting opportunities.

Areas of focus include helping rural communities develop innovations in community financing and
leadership; and create a common set of community indicators, tools, and success stories.

Virginia Education Strategies, Board Member

In collaboration with K-12, business, and community stakeholders, develops and implements best
practices to align education with employers needs and assists schools in improving academic and
career outcomes for students.




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Leadership
Board of Trustees
Center for Rural Virginia

   •   Chair, Honorable Creigh Deeds, Senate of Virginia
   •   Vice-Chair, Honorable Emily Jordan, Senate of Virginia
   •   Bette Brand, CEO & Founder, Strategic Consulting LLC
   •   Honorable Nadarius Clark, Member, House of Delegates
   •   Amanda Cox, External Affairs Manager, Appalachian Power
   •   Paul Eberly, Executive Vice President- Chief Development Officer, F&M Bank
   •   Honorable Winsome Earle-Sears, Lieutenant Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia
   •   Brian Isringhausen, CEO, Cranemasters, Inc.
   •   John A. King II, General Manager and Vice President of Sales, Virginia Poultry Growers
       Cooperative
   •   Honorable Amy Laufer, Member, House of Delegates
   •   Honorable Matthew Lohr, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Commonwealth of Virginia
   •   Honorable Allen Louderback, Member, Page County Board of Supervisors
   •   Sarah Marshall, Manager, State & Local Affairs, Dominion Energy
   •   Honorable Caren Merrick, Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Commonwealth of Virginia
   •   Marshall Pattie, PhD, Professor, James Madison University
   •   Liz Povar, Principal Officer, The River Link Group
   •   Eddie Ramirez, Ramirez Consulting, LLC
   •   Honorable Chris Runion, Member, Virginia House of Delegates
   •   Lindsey Watson, Director of Government Affairs, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative




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In partnership with
Board of Directors – Council for Rural Virginia
   •   Chair, Bryan David, Program Director, Growth and Opportunity Virginia Region 3
   •   Vice-Chair, Dr. Edwin Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech
   •   Shannon Blevins, Associate Vice Chancellor for Economic Development and Engagement,
       University of Virginia’s College at Wise
   •   The Honorable Ruby Brabo, Realtor
   •   Katie Frazier, Director, Farm Credit of the Virginias Knowledge Center
   •   Michelle Johnson, County Administrator, Charles City County
   •   Sharon Johnson, CEO of the Shenandoah Valley Workforce Investment Board
   •   Hugh Joyce, Owner, James River Air Conditioning
   •   John A. King II, General Manager and Vice President of Sales, VA Poultry Growers
       Cooperative
   •   Dr. Angela Lawhorne, Director, Career Education Programs & Workforce Partnerships,
       Virginia Community College System
   •   Mark Lawrence, Vice President of Governmental and External Affairs, Carilion Clinic
   •   Patrick Mauney, Executive Director, Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission
   •   Jay Poole, Owner, Common Sense Strategies
   •   R. Morgan Quicke, County Administrator, Richmond County
   •   Bill Tucker, Tucker Family Farms
   •   Brian T. Warner, Rolls Royce
   •   Carlyle Wimbish, Hickory Hill Farm




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Contact Information




                 Kristie Helmick Proctor
                   Executive Director
                  varuralcenter@vt.edu

                600 East Main St., Suite 300
                   Richmond, VA 23219

                For more information, visit:
                      www.cfrv.org




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