Vice-Chair:   Honorable Steve Landes

Secretary:    Honorable Jack Reasor    

Center Chairman of the Board of Trustees                   Meet the Rural Center Board

Senator Ruff has been Chairman of the Center for Rural Virginia Board of Trustees since it's inception in September 2005. He has been instrumental in getting the Center established and guides the organizations direction and strategy by  working closely with staff, board members and the Center's partner organization, the Council for Rural Virginia.  The chairman’s primary role is to ensure that the board is effective in its tasks of facilitating programs that will have a positive impact on the economy of rural Virginia. His leadership brings a value added perspective to the  Center's work plan. 

Senator Ruff was elected to serve in the Virginia Senate in November 2000 to fill the unexpired term of the late Richard Holland. Prior to his election to the Senate, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates since first being elected in 1993. His Senate standing assignments include service on the Committee on Education and Health, the Committee on General Laws, the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Committee on Local Government. Senate of Virginia website.

Ward W. Stevens, FACHE, CMPE
Council for Rural Virginia - Board of Directors

Vice Chair:   R. Bryan David

Secretary:    Carl Mitchell

Council Chairman of the Board of Directors            Meet the Rural Council Board

Ward is Executive Director of Osteopathic Medical Network of Excellence in Education, An Osteopathic Postdoctoral Training Institute, at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM). He came to VCOM in October 2006 with 20 years of progressive management experience in for-profit and non-profit healthcare facilities. He is experienced in managing multiple projects; improving operational efficiency; implementing corporate initiatives; maintaining strong physician relationships; developing staff; and meeting regulatory requirements.  VCOM Administration  

Ward has been an active member of the Council Board of Directors since 2008 and assumed the Board Chairmanship in 2010. During that time, he has taken a proactive role in collaborative initiatives in health education and in community improvement to encourage advancement of Virginia's rural economy. He serves as co-chair of the Rural Center's Healthcare Economic Essential Group and is part of the Partnership Network that leads the Rural Virginia Strategic Action initiative.

Chairman:   Ward W. Stevens

Vice Chair:  R. Bryan David

Secretary:    Carl Mitchell

Treasurer:   John Meade, III

Gary F. Christie, Region 2000 Local Government Council
R. Bryan David, Region 2000 Economic Development

Ellen Matthews Davis, Virginia State Director-USDA Rural Development

Basil Gooden, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Dev.

Gary Keener, Dabney S. Lancaster Community College

Dr. Oliver McBride, Crossroads Institute

John Meade, III, First Bank & Trust, Inc.

Carl Mitchell, Virginia Economic Bridge, Inc.

Laurie S. Moran, Danville/Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce

Joseph W. Newbill, Former Director, USDA Rural Development

H William "Bill" Smith, Wise County Tourism, Marketing & Community Development

Ward W. Stevens,  Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Robin Sullenberger, Shenandoah Valley Partnership

Mary Terry (retired) Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project, Inc.

William Tucker, Tucker Family Farms

Duront "Dee" Walton Jr., VA Telecommunications Industry Association
Carlyle Wimbish, Virginia Association of RC&D Councils

Technical Advisor to the Board of Directors

Dr. Oliver McBride, Crossroads Institute, immediate past chairman of the board.

 
Board Advisors

Rebecca J. Davis, Ph.D., National Cooperative for Health Networks (NCHN)
Steve McHenry, Rural Maryland Council

Sharon Colbert, USDA Rural Development Desk Officer

Board of Trustees ~ Center for Rural Virginia

Honorable Bill Bolling, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia

Secretary Robert Bloxom, Secretary of Agriculture

Otis Brown, Longwood University, Board of Visitors

Honorable Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade
Honorable Woodrow 'Woody' Harris, City Council, Emporia, Virginia

Donna Pugh Johnson, Virginia Agribusiness Council
Honorable Joseph P. Johnson, Jr., Virginia House of Delegates
Honorable R. Steven Landes, Virginia House of Delegates
Mark S. Lawrence, Carilion Health System

Dr. Oliver McBride, Crossroads Institute

Honorable Ralph S. Northam, Senate of Virginia

Honorable Dave Nutter, Virginia House of Delegates

Jay S. Poole, Common Sense Strategies

Wayne F. Pryor, Virginia Farm Bureau
Honorable Jack Reasor, Old Dominion Electric Cooperative
Susan Rubin, VA, MD & DL Association of Electric Coops
Honorable Frank M. Ruff, Jr., Virginia State Senate

Honorable Edward T. 'Ed' Scott, Virginia House of Delegates
Honorable Joseph L. Sheffey, Pulaski County Board of Supervisors
William “Bill” Tucker, Tucker Family Farms

New Appointments to the Center Board for 2010

    Lieutenant Governor of Virginia  -  Bill Bolling

    Secretary of Commerce and Trade   -  Jim Cheng 

Glen is a life long resident and advocate of rural America. As Executive Director he leads a virtual organization with associates located across the Commonwealth.  The Center Council is an advocate for rural policy and creates networks to be a catalyst for state and regional competitiveness and economic transformation.  

Glen has enjoyed extensive experiences in leadership positions at national marketing cooperatives, educational and entertainment venues. He is the founder of a customer service company providing logistics, financial and preparedness  solutions for businesses and educational venues, having experience on both sides of the Atlantic in rural development. He has served national non-profit organizations in leadership roles in development, education and sales.

Glen is a graduate of Virginia Tech and the University of Richmond. He passionately promotes education and networks for organization and community transformation.

The Rural Center Governmental Affairs office and location of the Executive Director is in Richmond at Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD). DHCD

Office (804)371-7141   Cell (804)381-1999    glen.sink@cfrv.org

Thelma Burris
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Va Rural Center has a long-range plan to have strategic locations in or near all rural regions. Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) has provided space and staff for the Council since 2005, and serves as the Rural Center business operations center.