Host Speakers - Welcome, Introductions and Concluding Remarks
The Honorable Frank M. Ruff, Jr., Member, Senate of Virginia and Rural Caucus Chairman
Frank was elected to serve in the Virginia Senate in November 2000 to fill the unexpired term of the late Richard Holland. Prior to Frank's election to the Virginia Senate, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates since first elected in 1993.
After the 2011 redistricting, the 15th Senate district includes all of the counties of Charlotte, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, and Nottoway, as well as parts of the counties of Brunswick, Campbell, Dinwiddie, Halifax, Pittsylvania, and Prince George, and part of the City of Danville. The 15th district is the largest in the Commonwealth.
Frank's Senate Standing Committee assignments include Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources, Finance, Local Government, Rules, and General Laws and Technology which he chairs. As well, he serves on the House and Senate Joint Rules Committee
His service to Virginia includes membership on several boards and commissions. He serves on the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission where he was elected as Vice-chairman in 2010. Additionally, he chairs the Education Committee. He also serves on the Southside Economic Development Committee, Research and Development Committee, and the Executive Committee.
Frank serves on the Center for Rural Virginia which is focused on serving the needs and opportunities of the rural parts of Virginia.
As well, he serves on the Roanoke River Bi-state Commission, Virginia Roanoke River Basin Advisory Committee, Martin Luther King Memorial Commission, the State Water Commission, the Virginia Board of Workforce Development, the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center Board of Trustees, Commonwealth Council of Childhood Success, and the Small Business Commission which he chairs.
His work also includes responsibilities on national legislative organizations. Frank serves on the Trade and Economic Development Committee of the American Legislative Exchange Council and on the Agriculture and Rural Development Committees of the Southern Legislative Conference and the National Conference of State Legislators
For the last several years Frank has focused on economic development, education and workforce training in rural Virginia as well as protecting our natural resources. He has worked with prospective job creators to encourage them to come to our region. From assistance with funding for industrial parks to enhancing tourism, from working with the Governor and local leaders to recruit new industry to the creation of a much needed law enforcement hazardous driving school, he has been a leader in the fight for small-town communities across the Fifteenth Senate District. Frank led the effort to create scholarships and forgivable loans through the Tobacco Commission as a way to educate the tobacco region's young people and to encourage them to return to the region to re-establish their roots in this region. He has worked to establish workforce centers throughout Southern and Southwest Virginia as well as specialized training programs at the community colleges.
Frank and his wife Jessie have four children Ñ sons Frank M. "Miller", III, ( wife Jessica) Thomas, David and daughter Genny. As well they have two granddaughters - Juliana and Harper;. They are active members of Clarksville Presbyterian Church.
R. Bryan David, County Administrator, Orange County and Vice-Chair, Council for Rural Virginia
Bryan David became the County Administrator in Orange County, Virginia in March, 2014, after briefly serving as Interim County Administrator. In this position, he manages the daily operations of Orange County’s government and serves in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors, representing the highest level management office. He is also responsible for effectively and efficiently implementing policies and directives as deemed by the Board of Supervisors and ensuring the smooth delivery of services to local residents.
Prior to this position, Mr. David served as the Executive Director of Virginia’s Region 2000 Partnership, where he managed a nationally recognized technology-based economic development program along with recruiting new business investment on behalf of the region’s business, local government, and higher education leadership. He has spent over 20 years working in leadership positions for local governments throughout the Commonwealth, including serving as County Administrator for King George, Amherst, and Brunswick Counties.
