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.
- 2020: June 11, 2020 | September 10, 2020 | December 10, 2020
- 2021: March 11, 2021 | June 10, 2021 | September 9, 2021 | December 9, 2021
- 2022: March 10, 2022
| Salutation | Name | Serving As | Community | Organization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delegate | James Will Morefield | Chair, Trustee, House of Delegates | Commonwealth of Virginia | House of Delegates |
| Senator | To Be Appointed | Trustee, Senate | Commonwealth of Virginia | Senate of Virginia |
| Mr. | William Smith | Treasurer, Citizen | Wytheville, Wythe | Smith Enterprises |
| Senator | Ben Chafin | Trustee, Senate | Commonwealth of Virginia | Senate of Virginia |
| Delegate | Charles Poindexter | Trustee, House of Delegates | Commonwealth of Virginia | House of Delegates |
| Delegate | Sam Rasoul | Trustee, House of Delegates | Commonwealth of Virginia | House of Delegates |
| 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. | Jimmy Morani | Trustee, Abingdon | Abingdon, Washington | Town of Abingdon |
| Ms. | Robyn Raines | Trustee, Washington County | Abingdon, Washington | United Way of SWVA |
| Ms. | Ellen Reynolds | Trustee, ’Round the Mountain | Wytheville, Wythe | Beagle Ridge Herb Farm |
| Ms. | Pat Sharkey | Trustee, ’Round the Mountain | Floyd | Artisan, Floyd County Tourism |
| 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. | Adam C. Hutchison | Ex Officio, President - VHCC | Abingdon, Washington | Virginia Highlands Community College |
| Mr. | Larry Yates | Ex Officio, Chair - The Crooked Road | Haysi, Dickenson | Town of Haysi |
| Ms. | Nancy Brooks | Ex Officio, Chair - ’Round the Mountain | Tazewell | Sleepin’ Dog, The Lost Pearl Gallery |
| Mr. | Erik Johnston | 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 |