Panelists and Speakers for Webinars and Online Programs
John Adamson
John Adamson grew up in Arlington VA. A graduate of Virginia Tech, received MBA from the University of Richmond. Lived in Richmond, Culpeper and Fairfax County, Virginia during his career with C&P, Bell Atlantic/Verizon. Moved to Strasburg, Virginia upon retirement in 1998 with his wife, Barbara. They have two grown children, a son, Matt, and a daughter, Marjorie, two granddaughters and one grandson. Mr. Adamson has long had an interest in history in general, military history in particular, and in Kentucky long rifles. Since coming to Shenandoah County, he has developed great interest in Shenandoah County history, local architecture, and the material culture of the Shenandoah Valley. Currently he is leading a program to document the barns of Shenandoah County. He enjoys presenting these topics to local groups that share these interests.
He is a current member of the Board of Directors of the Strasburg Museum (Past President), Shenandoah County Historical Society, Belle Grove Inc. (Historic House Museum), and the National Barn Alliance. He is past Chairman of Belle Grove, Inc., where he is a volunteer tour guide. He serves as a member of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee on the Shenandoah County Comprehensive Plan. He is an active member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He is an active member and past president of the Strasburg Rotary Club. He also enjoys fishing from his canoe for smallmouth bass in the North Fork.
Colleen Betti
Colleen Betti is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She serves as the public outreach coordinator for the Research Laboratories of Archaeology at UNC Chapel Hill. Her research focuses on childhood and socialization in the historic-period American South. Currently she is working on a project excavating late 19th and early 20th century black schools, specifically Rosenwald schools in Virginia.
Carol Black
Carol Black is originally from South Carolina and California, but she now calls Alexandria, VA home. Ms. Black is an attorney by trade, but has also been involved with the restoration of several historic buildings. Currently job-hunting, she is happy to be able to have the time to work with the Alexandria Elks Lodge members with the plans to restore their lodge.
Muriel Miller Branch
Ms. Branch grew up in the rural Pine Grove community in Cumberland County, Virginia. Ms. Branch attended Pine Grove Elementary School, as did her dad and siblings. Muriel’s mission is to protect and preserve Pine Grove School, and the beloved Black community that sustained the school and nurtured her.
Karice Luck-Brimmer
Karice Luck-Brimmer is a historian, a genealogist, and the program coordinator for History United, a place-based project of Virginia Humanities. Working in the Danville area, Luck collaborates with Virginia Humanities staff and local community members in Danville to establish a strong network of local cultural organizations committed to positive change. Luck has done extensive genealogical research on the Pittsylvania County, VA area. She is the founding president of the Danville/Pittsylvania County Chapter of the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society.
Kristin Brown
Kristin Brown is the director of the Loudoun County Office of Mapping and Geographic Information, which is home to one of Virginia’s first established Geographic Information Systems (GIS). She has a Master of Science in Geography from Murray State University in Western Kentucky and she is a Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP).
Megan J. Brown
Chief State, Tribal, Local, Plans & Grants, Certified Local Government National Coordinator, State, Tribal, Local, Plans and Grants for the National Park Service, Washington DC
Megan has worked at the National Park Service for 17 years, starting as a Grants Management Specialist, and then spending 10 years as the Certified Local Government (CLG) Coordinator, and now serves as the Chief of the State, Tribal, Local, Plans & Grants Division located within the Cultural Resources Directorate of the National Park Service in Washington, DC. She is responsible for the management of the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) and the average $80-140 million that it disburses annually to State, Tribal, and local preservation partners. Almost 1000 active grants fund annual assistance to States and Tribes, as well as project grant programs when funded by Congress like: Underrepresented Communities, African American Civil Rights, Save America’s Treasures, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. With a staff of 14, the division works hard to provide the outreach and training necessary to enable our partners to carry out the programs outlined by the National Historic Preservation Act and funded by the HPF.
Before joining NPS, Megan worked in the Southwest Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in Fort Worth, Texas, and the State Historic Preservation Office in South Carolina where she managed the State Grant and Federal Tax Incentive programs. Her education includes a Bachelor in Architecture from Auburn University and Master in Historic Preservation from the University of South Carolina. She is an avid equestrian and enjoys time and travel with her family, horses, and friends.
Ron Campbell
Ron Campbell was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. He and his family have been residents of Leesburg, VA since August 2001. Ron worked in higher education administration for over 27 years, including Pace University, The University of Pennsylvania, Drew University, George Mason University and the University of Minnesota. From 2012 to 2015, he served as the Chief Executive Officer for the National Association of College and University Auxiliary Services (NACAS).
In 2015, Ron, along with Pastor Michelle C. Thomas, founded the Loudoun Freedom Center where he serves as the Executive Director. Ron is also currently an elected member of the Leesburg Town Council and has previously served on the Loudoun County Criminal Justice Advisory Board, the Leesburg Technology Commission and the Leesburg Environmental Advisory Commission.
Ellen Chapman
Dr. Ellen Chapman is an archaeologist and cultural resources specialist at Cultural Heritage Partners- a global law, government affairs and consulting firm. She provides recommendations for clients about how to advocate for historic places are important to them.
Audrey P. Davis
Audrey P. Davis is Director of the Alexandria Black History Museum in Alexandria, Virginia.
Ms. Davis is a past President of the Virginia Association of Museums (VAM) and is one of the founders and the Director of Virginia Africana Associates Inc.: The Network of Museum, History and Preservation Professionals. Ms. Davis is currently Vice President of the Alexandria Historical Society, a board member for: Living Legends of Alexandria, Preservation Virginia and for the National Women’s History Museum. In 2016, The Washington Business Journal listed Ms. Davis as number 2, on their top 100 list of Washington Power players.
On January 5, 2018, Ms. Davis was appointed by Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe to the Task Force for the Identification of the History of Formerly Enslaved African Americans in Virginia. On November 30, 2018, Ms. Davis was reappointed by Virginia Governor Ralph S. Northam, to the State Historical Records Advisory Board for a term of three years beginning November 1, 2018 and ending October 31, 2021. It is her fifth gubernatorial appointment.
Rufus Elliott
Rufus Elliott is a Monacan Tribal Citizen and serves on the NAGPRA Committee for the Monacan Indian Nation. Mr. Elliott currently works as the Housing Director for the Chickahominy Indian Tribe.
Joanna Wilson Green
Joanna Wilson Green is as archaeologist in the Easement & Archaeology Stewardship at the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Joanna has worked for twenty years as a professional archaeologist and anthropologist. At DHR, she is also the point of contact for issues involving the identification, restoration, and protection of cemeteries and for permits for the archaeological investigation of human remains. Joanna received her master’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and her BA in anthropology from the University of Wyoming
Alexandra S. Gressitt
Alexandra S. Gressitt Library Director of Thomas Balch Library a history and genealogy library owned and operated by the Town of Leesburg in Virginia. In this position I have worked with a cross section of citizens, organizations, businesses and government entities and have extensive experience in historical and cultural programming. I came to this position with a strong background in manuscripts and archives as well as public and academic library and records management experience. Two immediate previous positions were Library Research Services Director at The Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA and Curator of Manuscripts at the Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis, IN. I competed my undergraduate work at the University of Puget Sound and hold an MA in European History from the University of Washington and an MA in Archival Administration/Public History from North Carolina State University.
Kayla Halberg
Kayla Halberg serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for Norfolk Preservation Collective, and is also an architectural historian and preservation consultant with Commonwealth Preservation Group. She resides in the historic Colonial Place neighborhood of Norfolk with her husband (and co-worker) Ethan, and their two pets, Audrey & Allie.
Jim Hare
Jim is the Director of the Division of Survey and Register for the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR). A native of Denver, Colorado, Jim completed his B.A. in Art History and Classical Archaeology at Bowdoin College and his M.A. in Historic Preservation at Goucher College. Prior to joining DHR in 2014, Jim directed several historic preservation non-profit organizations including the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA, HistoriCorps©, and Cornerstones Community Partnerships. At DHR Jim oversees the Virginia Landmarks Register and National Register of Historic Places programs, the Virginia Historical Highway Markers Program, and the Virginia Cultural Resources Information System (VCRIS). He is DHR’s representative on Virginia’s African American Cultural Resources Task Force, and he and his staff have recently published A Guidebook to Virginia’s African American Historical Markers, which is now available from the University of Virginia Press.
Senator Ghazala F. Hashmi, PhD
Senator Hashmi is an Indian-born American politician and former academic administrator and educator. A Democrat, Hashmi represents the 10th district in the Senate of Virginia; she is the first Muslim woman elected to the body. She worked as an educator and academic administrator for 25 years before shifting to politics. Hashmi was the founding director of the center for excellence in teaching and learning at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College where she was recognized for improving diversity, inclusion, and multicultural enrichment.Democrat, District 10.
Born in Hyderabad, India on July 5, 1964; educated at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (PhD, English); Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia (B.A., magna cum laude, English); Former Director Of The Center For Excellence In Teaching & Learning, Reynolds Community College, Richmond, Virginia; married to Azhar Rafiq, for 30 years.
Iris Holliday
As a public relations practitioner, Iris recently retired from corporate life and started IE Holliday, Ideas, Strategy and Representation. She is a graduate of Howard University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and received her professional certificate in museum studies from John Tyler.
Ms. Holliday is a board member of Virginia Humanities and of the McKenney Foundation. Her professional memberships include the Public Relations Society of America, Virginia Association of Museums, and Folk Art Society of America.
An art collector, Iris believes that the richness and diversity of artists is cause for celebration and wider exposure. For the past four years, Iris has represented Virginia folk artist Henry Denton Rice whose creations are now in museums and the homes and offices of private collectors.
Harold S. Hughes
Harold S. Hughes is the Exalted Ruler of Alexandria Lodge # 48, of the IBPOEW, located in Alexandria, VA. Mr. Hughes has been a member of the Lodge since 1990, where he has held various positions. He is the Virginia State Association of the IBPOEW State Financial Secretary and the Virginia State Training Officer for the Antler Guard, where he holds the rank of Colonel. Mr. Hughes served 15 years in the United States Marine Corps. He is the Father of 4 girls and the Grandfather of 18.
Sonja Ingram
Sonja Ingram is a historic preservationist and archaeologist. As Preservation Virginia’s Preservation Field Services Manager, she helps individuals and organizations across the state protect important historic sites. She also manages Preservation Virginia’s special projects including the Tobacco Barns project and Rosenwald Schools project.
Hunter Jameson
As a lawyer and a lobbyist for Macaulay and Jamerson, Hunter leverages a tireless work ethic, a command of relevant subject matter, and a dedication to his client’s cause in order to best advocate on behalf of his clients.
Hunter is one of the first lobbyists to arrive in the General Assembly and is one of the last to leave. He believes that diligence is what wins the day in legislative advocacy. Hunter does not simply monitor the General Assembly — Hunter acts. He is not afraid to push for passage of controversial legislation; Hunter invests the time, research, and energy necessary to effectively advocate his client’s position even when the opposition is strong.
Genevieve Keller
Genevieve Keller is the current chair of the Board of Preservation Virginia. She is an architectural historian and preservation planner from Charlottesville, VA, and is a Founding Principal of the preservation practice firm of Land and Community Associates. Ms. Keller is an award-winning author of several publications related to cultural landscape preservation, she teaches Preservation Planning in the School of Architecture at UVA, and she has concentrated in recent years on public service in Charlottesville and Central Virginia.
Elizabeth Kostelny
Chief Executive Officer for Preservation Virginia. Ms. Kostelny has provided leadership and vision to help transform a passive century old preservation organization into a nationally-recognized leader in historic preservation resources; guided a plan to increase awareness and raise the public profile of the organization to help attract new members, supporters and participants; launched the first ever major fund raising campaign to support new facilities at Historic Jamestowne including a new and innovative museum; negotiated a new relationship between the Statewide operations and the local affiliates to pursue an agenda that would attract and retain members, as well as re-invigorate local branches missions.
Eric Litchford
Eric Litchford currently manages the preservation of Preservation Virginia’s sites. He has worked on several 18th and 19th-century buildings across Virginia and was previously part of the architecture team at Mount Vernon. Eric is from Alexandria Virginia and received a bachelors degree in historic preservation from the University of Mary Washington.
Blake McDonald
A native of Albemarle County now residing in Richmond, Blake McDonald studied architectural history at Connecticut College and the University of Virginia. As the Architectural Survey and Cost Share Program Manager for the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, he travels throughout the Commonwealth supporting the stewardship of Virginia’s diverse past. Prior to his current role, Blake worked in cultural resource management, historic preservation advocacy, and museum education.
Reverend Millicent Nash
Rev. Millicent Nash is a native of Campbell County. She attended Campbell County schools, did undergraduate work at West Virginia State University and graduate studies at Oral Roberts University. Her ultimate purpose, as an ordained minister, educator, and community activist is to serve.
Millicent’s involvement in community service spans over thirty plus years. One of her assignments includes volunteering with the American Red Cross, (locally, nationally and internationally). On the local Disaster Relief Team, Millicent serviced as Co-captain for the Concord-Rustburg Area assisting families experiencing loss mostly from fires. Additionally, she traveled nationally to tornado and hurricane-stricken areas to assist communities in their recovery. In her country of service with the Peace Corps, she was encouraged to volunteer with Red Cross in Basseterre, St. Kitts as a part of her service.
As a volunteer with the Peace Corps, for (2 ½), two and a half years, she worked as a Youth Developer with both the Ministries of Education and Health, in Basseterre, St Kitts, Eastern Caribbean. While there she had the opportunity to contribute to the educational needs of five schools in Basseterre. Nash also worked on their national HIV Aids Program Initiative.
Rev. Nash has serviced as the coordinator for the Lynchburg Class of Perspectives Global Christian Movement, a (15) fifteen-week discipleship course that offers its participants a different perspective in accomplishing God’s will for their lives. Her recent mission assignments have been in Haiti ant Puerto Rico.
As a part-time GED Instructor at the Appomattox Learning Center, she enjoys meeting and instructing new students who are seeking to continue their education to improve their lives.
Lastly, Nash presently serves as the chairperson of the Campbell County Training School Complex Committee, (501c3 non-profit organization). Ms. Nash has spearheaded this organization for six (6) years. She is passionate about this project. The goal of the committee is to renovate this Historic Rosenwald School and restore it to a place of prominence in the community for services to all citizens.
Lindsey Norment
Lindsey Norment serves as the Brand Director for the Virginia Tourism Corporation. In this capacity, she leads the Brand department to strategically execute the vision of the iconic Virginia is for Lovers brand. Ms. Norment was raised in Richmond, Virginia. She is a graduate of James Madison University, where she studied Media Arts and Design. She currently resides in Richmond with her husband, Jeff, and their dog, Libbie.
Danae Peckler
Ms. Peckler has served on the Board of Directors of the National Barn Alliance (NBA) since 2010 and is currently in her second term as President. She has contributed articles on barn preservation to an array of publications, and is editor of the NBA’s newsletter, The Barn Door. Professionally, Ms. Peckler is an architectural historian who loves to research, document, and analyze all kinds of places and spaces, but historic barns and farms are her favorite. She currently works for Dovetail Cultural Resource Group in Fredericksburg, Virginia, conducting architectural investigations throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, and also serves on the board of the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc.
Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips, United States Navy (Retired)
Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips, USN (Ret) is a member of the Center for Climate and Security’s Advisory Board, and Special Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Adaptation and Protection, State of Virginia. A Surface Warfare Officer, Rear Admiral Phillips has served in every warfare group of the Surface Navy: Destroyers, Aircraft Carriers, Amphibious, and Replenishment Ships. During her 31 years on active duty she commissioned and commanded USS MUSTIN (DDG 89), and commanded Destroyer Squadron TWO EIGHT, and Expeditionary Strike Group TWO – which included all the Amphibious Expeditionary Forces on the East Coast of the United States. Ashore she was a Senior Fellow on the CNO’s Strategic Studies Group XXVIII, and managed requirements and resources for the Surface Navy as Deputy Director and Director of Surface Warfare Division, (N86) in the Pentagon. While at N86, from 2009-2012 she served on the Chief of Naval Operations’ Climate Change Task Force, and Energy Task Force, where she Co-Chaired the Surface Force Working Group – developing and implementing climate change adaptation and energy reduction strategies for the Navy. In addition, she has served overseas in Guam and Lisbon, Portugal, and operated extensively with NATO and Partnership for Peace nations.
Upon retirement from the U.S. Navy in 2014 she pursued her MBA at The College of William and Mary, Mason School of Business, graduating in 2016. During this time she also chaired the Infrastructure Working Group for the Hampton Roads Sea Level Rise Preparedness and Resilience Intergovernmental Pilot Planning Project convened by Old Dominion University. The project worked to develop a collaborative, whole of government and community approach to address the impact of sea level rise across the Hampton Roads region that could be used as a template by other regions facing similar challenges. She continues to work to address sea level rise and climate impact on national security at the regional, state, and national level, and speaks about climate security and adaptation strategies to a broad range of audiences. She also serves on local, regional, and national non-profit Boards, and coordinates an evolving wetlands restoration project for her neighborhood in Norfolk, Virginia.
Michael Phillips
Michael Phillips is the Director of Public Policy for the National Trust Community Investment Corporation. As Director of Public Policy, Mike Phillips specializes in garnering and organizing local, national, and federal advocacy initiatives. He works to secure congressional support for enhancement legislation relating to the Historic Tax Credit (HTC), New Market Tax Credit and other community development incentives. Mike is a nationally recognized leader in advising advocates in delivering timely communication and key information to congressional offices on behalf of HTC. He helps advocates plan and coordinate in-district/state site-visits with members of congress and orchestrates DC lobby days on behalf of the Historic Tax Credit Coalition.
Paige Pollard
Paige Pollard received her undergraduate degree in City Planning with a minor in Architecture from the University of Virginia, and a graduate degree in Historic Preservation from the University of Georgia. Prior to establishing Commonwealth Preservation Group, she managed the Virginia Department of Historic Resources Local Government Assistance Programs as well as the department’s Tidewater Region Preservation Program. Paige also has experience at the municipal level having worked for the City of Norfolk as a historic preservation planner.
After noticing a significant increase in requests for assistance by historic property owners experiencing inundation and nuisance flooding, CPG initiated a joint venture with Museum Resources Construction & Millwork to form Building Resilient Solutions. BRS focuses on site specific analysis and data driven retrofit recommendations and design for properties at risk of inundation. BRS is in the process of opening the first dedicated lab to test the resiliency of traditional (pre-1970) building materials in flood conditions; the lab will be operational in 2021.
Trip Pollard
Trip Pollard is a Senior Attorney and Leader of Southern Environmental Law Center’s Land and Community Program. He is graduate of the University of Virginia’s School of Law and is on Preservation Virginia’s Board of Directors.
Mark Reed
Historic Preservation Planner, City of Virginia Beach. Mark Reed has been involved in historic building and community preservation for over 35 years in Alexandria and Virginia Beach. He has a Bachelor of Arts in American History from Tulane University and a Master of Arts in American History from the University of Virginia.
Mark has been the Historic Preservation Planner for the City of Virginia Beach for five years where he is their Certified Local Government Coordinator, Manages historic resource survey projects and National Register nominations, Coordinates strategic planning for the preservation program, Administers the Virginia Beach Historical Register, Provides staff support for the Historic Preservation Commission
Prior to his current position, Mark served as Virginia Beach’s Historic Resources Coordinator for nearly 25 years. In that capacity he administered the Francis Land, Adam Thoroughgood and Lynnhaven Houses and coordinated preservation projects for City-owned historic buildings.
Henry Denton Rice
Mr. Rice is a farmer from Brunswick County. He retired from the Soil Conservation Service, now known as the Farm Service Agency, 40 years ago. Mr. Rice raised tobacco for many years balancing his public job with tobacco farming.
He is also a folk artist who makes replicas of historic buildings, including tabletop- sized replicas of historic tobacco barns. His replicas have been featured in many news articles and on NBC 12 in Richmond. Mr. Rice’s replicas have been acquired by private collectors, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, and the Fluvanna Historical Society. His story was also filmed by Preservation Virginia in 2019.
Gail C. Rothrock
Gail C. Rothrock is a retired historic preservation planner. Ms. Rothrock serves on the Board of Trustees of the Historic Alexandria Foundation and is a member of the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission.
Donovan Rypkema
Donovan Rypkema is principal of PlaceEconomics. Working at the nexus of historic preservation and economic development, Rypkema has undertaken assignments in 49 States and more than 50 countries. He is the author of The Economics of Historic Preservation. Rypkema holds a Masters degree in Historic Preservation from Columbia University. He teaches preservation economics at the University of Pennsylvania where he received the Perkins Award for Distinguished Teaching. In 2012 Rypkema received the Crowninshield Award from the National Trust.
Heidi Siebentritt
Heidi Siebentritt is an archaeologist and a historic preservationist. She has been Loudoun County’s Historic Preservation Planner for over 20 years. Heidi’s work received statewide recognition by Preservation Virginia in 2008 when Loudoun County was awarded the “Outstanding Service in Community Preservation Award” in recognition of the county’s Historic Districts and interactive website.
William A. (Skip) Stiles, Jr.
William A. (Skip) Stiles, Jr. is executive director of Wetlands Watch, a statewide nonprofit environmental group based in Norfolk, VA. In this position he has been involved in sea level rise adaptation work at the community level for over 12 years.
Prior to his current position, starting in 1998, Mr. Stiles was an independent consultant, providing editorial and public policy services to a number of clients on issues related to science, the environment, and public policy. A partial list of his clients includes: the While House Office of Science Policy, the Rockefeller Foundation, the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Pew Center on Agricultural Biotechnology, RAND Corporation, and the National Academy of Sciences.
Before that, Mr. Stiles served in a variety of senior staff positions during 22 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was chief of staff for Congressman George E. Brown, Jr. of California, staff director of the House Agriculture research and environment subcommittee, and Legislative Director for the House Science Committee.
Matthew J. Strickler, Secretary of Natural Resources and Chief Resilience Officer
Secretary Strickler is the author of a number of publications on sea level rise and adaptation. He served on the Virginia Climate Change Commission in 2008. Together with his oceanographer wife, Dr. Margaret Mulholland, he teaches a graduate class in public policy at Old Dominion University. He lives in Norfolk, VA, and is a graduate of the College of William and Mary. Contact (757) 621-1185
Matt Strickler is the Secretary of Natural Resources and Chief Resilience Officer for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Before joining the Northam Administration, he served as Senior Policy Advisor to Democratic members of the House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources. Immediately prior to his time on Capitol Hill, Matt worked in the Virginia General Assembly as a legislative assistant to then-state Senator Ralph Northam. Originally from Lexington, Va., Matt holds master’s degrees in public policy and marine science from the College of William and Mary and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.
Sandra Tanner
Sandra Tanner serves as the Destination Development Specialist for the Virginia Tourism Corporation where she has worked for the last 34 years. In this capacity, she works with communities in the Southern, Central, and Coastal regions of Virginia to help them develop their tourism programs and products for economic growth and visitor experience. Mrs. Tanner lives in Mecklenburg County with her husband, Tom, their children Madilynne and Olivia.
Pastor Michelle Thomas
Pastor Michelle Thomas is an electrical engineer who currently serves as Pastor of the Holy & Whole Church― the first church in Loudoun County established by an African American woman. She is also the current president of the Loudoun NAACP and the first African American woman to be appointed to serve as a member of the Loudoun County Heritage Commission.
In 2018, Pastor Michelle rediscovered and led the preservation efforts of the Belmont Slave Cemetery in Loudoun County. Her work at Belmont led her to found the Loudoun Freedom Center, an educational nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and education of African American cultural sites, resources, and communities in Loudoun County.
In 2019, Governor Northam named Pastor Michelle to the Commission on African American History Education, which is charged with reviewing Virginia’s history standards, and the instructional practices, content, and resources currently used to teach African American history in Virginia.
Curtis Valentine
Curtis Valentine is Deputy Director of the Progressive Policy Institute’s Reinventing America’s Schools Project. Curtis currently serves as Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park and as At-Large member of the Prince George’s County (MD) Board of Education. Curtis is a descendent of co-founders of the Carol Boyd Rosenwald School in Bracy, Virginia and serves as a member of the Board of Director of the Rosenwald Parks Campaign.
Aubrey Von Lindern
Aubrey Von Lindern has worked for the Virginia Department of Historic Resources for 6 years as the Architectural Historian for the Northern Region and as the State Certified Local Government Coordinator. Aubrey earned her Master’s in Historic Preservation from the University of Vermont and her undergraduate degree in History from Virginia Wesleyan University. She has been in the Historic Preservation Field for over 10 years, working in both the private and public sectors.
Dr. Wesley Wilson
Dr. Wilson is a retired Army Aviator, where he served 20 years. Dr. Wilson has a Master’s degree and Advanced Certificate in Counseling, from William and Mary, and a Doctorate, (EdD) Historical Research, from from William and Mary. Mr. Wilson was the Assistant to the President and grants administrator, W&M for 6 years. He is the Co-owner and vice president of C&W Associates (Management Consultants) for 20 years. Dr. Wilson is certified as mediator by the Virginia Court System, (1985), he is an Arbitrator, Financial Industries Regulator Authority (FINRA), (1998), and owns Wilson’s Services Inc, (1900).
Dr. Wesley C. Wilson is a home based provider of conflict resolution services in the form of industry arbitration. Dr Wilson has been involved in 46 arbitrations, throughout the continental United States and Puerto Rico. He also provides assistance in grants research and writing to profit and nonprofit organizations. Mr. Wilson is the Founder of Woodville/Rosenwald School Foundation (501c3), dedicated to preserving, rehabilitating and repurposing the Woodville/Rosenwald school in Gloucester Virginia.