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Mission

The mission of the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute (VRLI) is to retain, attract, and develop rural Virginians into innovative, responsible, and civic minded leaders who build strong communities.

2024 Sessions and Dates

Session 1 - Southside Virginia

May 22, 23 & 24

Session 2 - Southwest Virginia

July 17, 18 & 19

Session 3 - Middle Peninsula & Northern Neck 

September 11, 12 & 13
 

Session 4 - Shenandoah Valley

November 14, 15 & 16 (Note: Thurs. - Sat.)

2024 VRLI Cohort

Twenty-eight high-achieving individuals representing 24 rural localities have been chosen for the leadership program’s third year. Learn more about this cohort's members below!

Shanetta Beck, City of Emporia

Community and Economic Development Director, City of Emporia

 

Lincoln Boykin, Lancaster County

Director of Affiliate Foundations, Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond

 

Jonathan Comer, Page County

SVP - Commercial Lender, The First Bank & Trust Company

 

J. David Conmy, City of Richmond

Deputy County Administrator & Economic Development Director, Sussex County

 

Michael Crouse, Roanoke County

Business Development Manager, ECS, Mid-Atlantic

 

Matthew Culbreath, Dinwiddie

Director of Planning and Zoning, City of Emporia

 

Brian Falin, Wise County

Industrial Development Supervisor/Executive Director, Wise County

 

Heather Fay, Botetourt County

Business Advisor + Regional Program Director, Greater Roanoke & NRV Small Business Development Center

 

Brandy Flint, Rockbridge County

Director of Economic Development, Rockbridge County

 

Andrew Franzyshen, Dinwiddie County

Director of Environment, Housing, and Economic Development, Crater Planning

District Commission

 

Ian Ginger, City of Richmond

Economic Development Program Director, George Washington Regional Commission

 

Gerald Goad, Hillsville

Clerk of the Circuit Court, Carroll County

 

Jess Gray, Chatham

CEO, Gray’s Lambscaping LLC

 

Matt Herron, Christiansburg

Business Development Manager, Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services

 

James Houchins, Patrick County

Director of Tourism and Marketing, Patrick County

 

Katelyn Jordan, Pungo

Local & State Advocacy Specialist, Regulatory Coordinator, Virginia Farm Bureau

 

Kellie Lipscomb, Dinwiddie

Drug Abuse Treatment Specialist, Federal Correctional Institution

 

Brooke Love, Carroll County

Tourism Director, Carroll County

 

Jacob McCaleb, Warsaw

Business Services Representative, Bay Consortium Workforce Development Board

 

Stephanie Norris, City of Richmond

Senior Research Analyst, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

 

Kristen Pudlow, Prince George County

Deputy County Administrator, Prince George County

 

Holley Scheffel, Bedford County

Business Programs Coordinator, Bedford County

 

Giles Scott, Warsaw

Youth Program Influencer, Bay Consortium Workforce Development Board

 

Jennifer Stevens, South Boston

President and CEO, Virginia Ed Strategies

 

Josh Taylor, Alleghany

Executive Director, Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

 

Tara Tuck, Clarksville

Economic Development & Tourism, Town of Clarksville

 

Jack Wall, Floyd

Board Chair & Senior Executive, Wall Residences

 

Zachary Whitlow, City of Richmond

Community Vitality Program Administrator, Department of Housing & Community Development

Questions?

Please Contact:

Cindy Hosmer

Virginia Rural Leadership Institute

VaRuralLeadership@cfrv.org

2024 Annual Sponsors

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Community Impact Projects

Designed over the 4 sessions, Community Impact Projects are the capstone of a VRLI Cohort Members experience and provide tangible impact in rural communities. This ongoing return on investment and pledge by cohort members to better their communities proves VRLI’s model and promise for rural Virginia. Learn more about these projects of our alumni below!

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