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.

Visit the 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
Honorable Allen W. Dudley, Virginia House of Delegates - Retired

Honorable Emmett W. Hanger, Jr., Virginia State Senate

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

Honorable Dave Nutter, Virginia House of Delegates

Jay Poole, Virginia Tech - Office - Director of Office of Recovery & Support
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 Joseph L. Sheffey, Pulaski County Board of Supervisors
Steven C. Smith, Food City Stores

William Tucker, Farmer/member Rural Virginia Prosperity Commission

Dennis Zimmerman, ComSonics, Inc.

Council Chair:  Dr. Oliver McBride

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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 at the same time, preserve the characteristics which give rural communities their unique sense of place. Dr. McBride exemplifies high standards in the 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. 

Reach Dr. McBride by email: Oliver McBride, or by phone: (276)236-0391.

Contact

Vice Chair:  Dr. Brian Calhoun

Secretary:   Gary Keener

Treasurer:   William Tucker

Board of Directors ~ Council for Rural Virginia

Brian D. Calhoun, Ph.D., Virginia Tech College of Agriculture & Life Sciences

Gary F. Christie, Region 2000 Local Government Council
R. Bryan David, King George County Manager

Ellen Matthews Davis, State Director-USDA Rural Development for Virginia
Terry Garrett, CEO, Capitol Management and Information Engineering

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

Karen Jackson, Vice President, Broadband Programs, Virginias Center for Innovative Technology

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

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

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

H William Smith, Executive Director, Virginia Heritage Music Trail

Paul Stapleton, Superintendent, Halifax County Public Schools
Tammy Stephenson, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, Dean, Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine

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

  USDA is an excellent resource - Extensive Publications list 
                                                                                                          - Current and Historical News