The purpose of the Foundation is to encourage the economic development of Southwest Virginia through the expansion of cultural and natural heritage ventures and initiatives related to tourism and other asset-based enterprises, include the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace, The Crooked Road, ’Round the Mountain, and other related cultural and natural heritage organizations and venues that promote entrepreneurial and employment opportunities.
The SWVA Cultural Heritage Foundation board meetings are open to the public. We welcome public comment and if you are interested in attending, the meeting dates are below. Due to current circumstances, all meetings will take place online. Please email info@friendsofswva.org if you wish to attend.
- 2021:
- 2022:
- March 10, 2022 (Minutes | Recording)
- June 9, 2022 (Minutes | Recordings)
- September 15, 2022 (Minutes | Recording)
- December 15, 2022 ( Minutes | Recording)
- 2023
PUBLIC COMMENT IS ALLOWED AND ENCOURAGED AT THIS MEETING.
- TO MAKE A WRITTEN COMMENT FOR DOCUMENTATION DURING THE MEETING, PLEASE EMAIL kdavis@friendsofswva.org.
| Salutation | Name | Serving As | Community | Organization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delegate | James Will Morefield | Chair, Trustee, House of Delegates | Commonwealth of Virginia | House of Delegates |
| Senator | Todd Pillion | Trustee, Senate | Commonwealth of Virginia | Senate of Virginia |
| Senator | Travis Hackworth | Trustee, Senate | Commonwealth of Virginia | Senate of Virginia |
| Delegate | Sam Rasoul | Trustee, House of Delegates | Commonwealth of Virginia | House of Delegates |
| Delegate | Marie March | Trustee, House of Delegates | Commonwealth of Virginia | House of Delegates |
| Mr. | William Smith | Treasurer, Citizen | Wytheville, Wythe | Smith Enterprises |
| Mr. | Dean Chiapetto | Citizen | Floyd | Dean Chiapetto Insurance |
| Mr. | Kevin Byrd | Trustee, Planning District | City of Radford | NRV Regional Commission |
| Mr. | Duane Miller | Trustee, Planning District | Duffield, Scott | LENOWISCO Planning District Commission |
| Mr. | Mike Cochran | Trustee, Abingdon | Abingdon, Washington | Town of Abingdon |
| Ms. | Mary Anne Holbrook | Trustee, Washington County | Abingdon, Washington | United Way of SWVA |
| Ms. | Ellen Reynolds | Trustee, ’Round the Mountain | Wytheville, Wythe | Beagle Ridge Herb Farm |
| Ms. | Julie Walters Steele | Trustee, ’Round the Mountain | Critz, Patrick | Reynolds Homestead |
| Ms. | Kathy Shearer | Trustee, ’Round the Mountain | Meadowview, Washington | Holston Mountain Artisans |
| Ms. | Amanda Pillion | Trustee, Commissioner - VA Commission for the Arts | Abingdon, Washington | Virginia Commission for the Arts |
| Mr. | John Kilgore | Ex Officio, Chair - Friends of Southwest Virginia | Gate City, Scott | Scott County Economic Development Authority |
| Mr. | Adam C. Hutchison | Ex Officio, President - VHCC | Abingdon, Washington | Virginia Highlands Community College |
| Mr. | Dylan Locke | Ex Officio, Chair - The Crooked Road | The Crooked Road | |
| Mr. | Bryan Horn | Ex Officio, Director - DHCD | Commonwealth of Virginia | Department of Housing & Community Development |
| Ms. | Rita McClenny | Ex Officio, Director - VTC | Commonwealth of Virginia | Virginia Tourism Corporation |
| Mr. | David Matlock | Ex Officio, ED - SWVAHEC | Abingdon, Washington | SWVA Higher Ed Center |