Leadership

USDA is an excellent resource

Extensive Publications list
Current and Historical News

Rural Assistance Center
A joint initiative of the Office of Rural
Health Policy at the US Department of
Health & Human Services

An information portal for rural communities
to access information on health and human
services to rural people

Leadership

Center Chairman: Honorable Frank M. Ruff, Jr.

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 implementing 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 Virginia 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.

Contact

Vice-Chair: Honorable Steve Landes

Secretary: Honorable Jack Reasor

Treasurer: Honorable Woodrow “Woody” Harris

Board of Trustees ~ Center for Rural Virginia

Honorable Robert S. Bloxom, Secretary of Agriculture
Otis Brown, Longwood University, Board of Visitors

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, Executive Director, Crossroads Institute

Honorable Ralph S. Northam, Senate of Virginia

Honorable Dave Nutter, Virginia House of Delegates

Jay S. Poole, Principal, Common Sense Strategies

Wayne F. Pryor, Virginia Farm Bureau
Honorable Jackson E. Reasor, Old Dominion Electric Cooperative
Susan Rubin, Virginia, Maryland & Delaware 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 Tucker, Farmer/member Rural Virginia Prosperity Commission

Center Council Staff

Council Chair: Dr. Oliver McBride

Oliver McBride was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Council for Rural Virginia in November 2007 and assumed his duties January 1, 2008. Dr. McBride served on the Board of Directors and is versed in the Council's mission and purpose. He shares the Board and staff dedication to improving the quality of life in rural Virginia and preserve the characteristics which give rural communities their unique sense of place. Dr. McBride exemplifies high standards in service to the citizens of rural Virginia.

Dr. McBride serves as the Executive Director of the Crossroads Rural Entrepreneurial Institute located in Galax, VA, an Entrepreneurial Education facility that partners with local governments of Carroll and Grayson Counties, City of Galax, Wytheville Community College and K-12 education. The Institute was opened in July 2005 to help improve the lives of people in southwest Virginia and beyond, by providing an innovative educational and economic development engine to contribute to the revitalization of the region's economy. Email: Oliver McBride, or by phone: (276)236-0391

Contact

Vice Chair: R. Bryan David

Secretary: Carl Mitchell

Treasurer: John Meade, III

Board of Directors ~ Council for Rural Virginia

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

Ellen Matthews Davis, former State Director-USDA Rural Development

Basil Gooden, Principal Deputy Director, Virginia Department of Housing
& Community Development

Gary Keener, Continuing Ed & Workforce Services, Dabney S. Lancaster
Community College

Dr. Oliver McBride, Executive Director, Crossroads Institute

John Meade, III, Senior Vice President, First Bank & Trust

Carl Mitchell, President, Virginia Economic Bridge, Inc.

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

Joseph W. Newbill, Former Director, USDA Rural Development for Virginia

Paul Stapleton, Superintendent, Halifax County Public Schools
Ward W. Stevens, Assistant Vice President for Development, Edward Via
Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine

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

William Tucker, Farmer/member Rural Virginia Prosperity Commission

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

Advisors

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

Sharon Colbert, USDA Rural Development Desk Officer

Glen C. Sink, Executive Director ~ Va Rural Virginia

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.

(804) 371-7141
glen.sink@cfrv.org

Thelma Burris
Director, Va Rural Center, Southwest

Va Rural Center has a long-range plan to have strategic locations in or near all ruralregions. The 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.

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

In November 2008, a Southwest Center was opened at Wytheville Community College (WCC). Thelma' works from both locations.

Thelma holds a BS in Organizational Management form Virginia Intermont College and has graduate work in Psychological Counseling form VCU.

VCOM 540-231-8222

WCC 276-223-4805

tburris@vcom.vt.edu