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
- 2024
- 2025
- March 12, 2025 (Minutes | Recording)
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 | Organization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delegate | James Will Morefield | Chair & Trustee, House of Delegates | Virginia House of Delegates |
| Senator | Todd E. Pillion | Vice Chair & Trustee, Senate | Virginia Senate |
| Senator | T. Travis Hackworth | Trustee, Senate | Virginia Senate |
| Delegate | Sam Rasoul | Trustee, House of Delegates | Virginia House of Delegates |
| Delegate | Marie March | Trustee, House of Delegates | Virginia House of Delegates |
| Mrs. | Ruby Rogers | Trustee | |
| Mr. | Josh Hess | Trustee | District Director, Congressman H. Morgan Griffith (VA-09) |
| Mr. | Scotty Wampler | Trustee | Executive Director, Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission |
| Mr. | Kevin Byrd | Trustee | Executive Director, New River Valley Regional Commission |
| Mr. | Michael Cochran | Trustee | Town Manager, Town of Abingdon |
| Honorable | Saul Hernandez | Trustee | Washington County Board of Supervisors, Vice President of IT, Food City |
| Ms. | Sandy Ratliff | Trustee | VP Community Innovation, Locus (VA Community Capital) |
| Mrs. | Julie Walters Steele | Trustee | Director, Reynolds Homestead (Virginia Tech) |
| Ms. | Sharon Buchanan | Trustee | Southwest Region Manager, Virginia State Parks |
| Ms. | Deborah Milton | Trustee | Director of Planning, Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission |
| Mrs. | Amanda Pillion | Trustee, Virginia Commission for the Arts | Virginia Commision for the Arts / Mayor, Town of Abingdon |
| Mr. | John Kilgore | Ex Officio, Friends of Southwest Virginia Chair | Executive Director, Scott County Economic Development Authority |
| Mr. | Dylan Locke | Ex Officio, Chair - The Crooked Road Chair | Floyd Country Store |
| Dr. | Adam C. Hutchison | Ex Officio - non-voting, President - VHCC | Virginia Highlands Community College |
| Mr. | David Matlock | Ex Officio, ED, SWVAHEC | Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center |
| Mr. | Bryan Horn | Ex Officio, Director - DHCD | Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development |
| Ms. | Rita McClenny | Ex Officio, VTC Director | Virginia Tourism Corporation |