September 13, 2005
Center for Rural Virginia Appoints Executive Director
State Senator Frank M. Ruff Jr. announced that Glen C. Sink has been selected to serve as Executive Director of The Center for Rural Virginia. The Center was created to serve as a catalyst to generate creative approaches for sustaining economic growth in the rural areas of the Commonwealth. Senator Ruff, Chairman of the Center Board in making the announcement said that he was proud that we have found someone like Glen who brings a wealth of experience to the Center.
Sink (above) provided extensive leadership experiences in Dairymen, Inc., a regional marketing cooperative. Additionally he has been instrumental in the state's largest educational and entertainment venue, The State Fair of Virginia. He is also founder of CastingCares, a company which designs customer care solutions and provides emergency preparedness planning for businesses and educational events.
Delegate Steve Landes (R - Weyers Cave) said "Mr. Sink has served organizations in development, customer service, education and sales, all of which will serve the Center well. With his degree from Virginia Tech and an MBA from The University of Richmond, he has both practical and theoretical expertise to lead organizations in today's competitive and quickly changing environment."
Senator Emmett Hanger (R - Augusta) commented "I believe that Glen Sink's past work with those in the rural communities of Virginia will be a big plus as we try to build partnerships as we work the issues facing rural areas." Added Delegate Allen Dudley
(R - Rocky Mount) "with Glen Sink—a Franklin County native—as Executive Director, I believe we have someone who understands working with local officials, business and the education community is important if we are to improve the opportunities in small towns
and rural communities."
Sink is a past chairman of the Virginia Agribusiness Council, Charter Member and past Chairman of the Virginia Rural Leadership Development Foundation and Chairman of the local School Renewal and Certification program. His service to Virginia was recognized by Virginia Tech when he was awarded the Agriculture Alumni Distinguished Service Award.
The Center for Rural Virginia was established by the General Assembly in 2004. Among its duties are to develop a broad-based constituency to advocate for the interests of rural Virginia in the formulation of the Commonwealth's public policies; to coordinate and facilitate research on rural issues and analyze the effect of public policies and private sector interests on rural communities; to prepare a detailed analysis of rural Virginia economies annually for submission to the Board, together with feasible and appropriate alternatives designed to sustain economic growth in rural areas of the Commonwealth; to facilitate public-private investments in the infrastructure of rural Virginia; to promote programs designed to train local elected officials and community leaders for effective leadership in rural communities; to foster innovative strategies that promote the development and prosperity of rural communities in the Commonwealth; to provide for the collection, organization, storage, and dissemination of documents, data, and other information concerning issues relevant to the needs and continuous development of Virginia's rural areas, including technical and research assistance to rural localities in the development and implementation of their strategic plans; and to identify potential public and private resources for the Board's consideration and review that may be used to generate additional funds to support and facilitate the Center's work and foster the development of rural communities.
July 29, 2005
Center for Rural Virginia and Council for Rural Virginia Sign Joint Resolution
During a recent meeting of the Council for Rural Virginia Board of Directors, a Joint Resolution was signed that will bring the efforts of the Center and the Council together.
Both organizations originated in the spirit
of improving the quality of life in Virginia's rural communities.
The text of the joint resolution
is available online.
Right: Rebecca Davis, Chair of the Council for Rural Virginia Board of Directors, and Senator Frank Ruff, Chair of the Center for Rural Virginia Board of Trustees sign the Joint Resolution on Friday, July 30, 2005
