Historic preservation, including rehabilitation of historic buildings and heritage tourism, are critical components of the nation’s economy. July 24th’s online program features a discussion on adaptation during the pandemic and the role of historic preservation in economic recovery. Below are the bios of our panelists, and a recording of the program can be found in the Videos and Online Programs section of our website:
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.
Jim Hare 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
