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?
2024 Annual Sponsors
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!