Council

Representing the health care sector and the eastern portion of the region, Scott Burnette has served as CEO since 1999 and has extensive local civic service including the South Hill Industrial Development Authority and the Chamber of Commerce. He is also active in federal and state legislative advocacy in the health care field, including leadership service on state organizations such as the Virginia Hospital and Health Care Association.

Representing Region 3 West and the construction industry sector and the western portion of the region, Tim Clarke is the vice president of Blair Construction. Born in Maryland and currently raising a family in Virginia, Tim's professional background includes work with Smithfield Foods. His extensive involvement in youth and civic engagement organizations includes the Virginia Technical Institute and the Virginia 4-H Foundation Board.

Representing the northern region of Region 3, Amy Griffin is an educational consultant for the Virginia Department of Education and Virginia Ed Strategies.  She also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Educational Leadership doctoral program at Radford University.  She is a member of the Longwood University Call Me Mister Advisory Council, the Virginia Credit Union Advisory Committee, and a support network partner of the Commonwealth Learning Partnership. Amy served in public education for 31 years working in Cumberland and Nottoway public school divisions. As a public educator, she served as Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Director of Instruction, Director of Special Education, elementary principal, and elementary teacher.

Representing the commercial and retail industry and the eastern portion of the region, Randy Lail is currently an independent consultant with extensive experience in the retail and service sectors, including chief operating officer for Peebles Incorporated. A graduate of Lunenburg High School, his civic experience is continuous and deep, including service on the advisory board of the Longwood Small Business Development Center and chairman of the board of the Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation.

Representing the financial services sector and the western portion of the region, Charles Majors has served in various roles with American National Bank and American National Bankshares, which is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol AMNB. Charley's significant involvement in federal, state and community, civic, and professional leadership roles includes his former role as chairman of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Board of Directors, chairman of the Virginia Bankers Association, and chairman of the Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council for the Federal Reserve. He has previously served in leadership roles with Averett University, the Danville Regional Foundation, Future of the Piedmont, and Smart Beginnings Danville Pittsylvania.

Representing the energy sector and the western portion of the region, James McClain II is the fourth president & CEO of Southwestern Virginia Gas and is also president and CEO of Southwestern Virginia Energy Industries, an energy holding company. A native of Martinsville, James is very active in community and state activities. He has served as president of the local Workforce Investment Board as well as an appointee of Governor Tim Kaine on the Virginia Workforce Council. He is a founding member of the local Boys & Girls Club, a board member of the local YMCA, and a member of the board of the Martinsville / Henry Economic Development Corporation.

Coming soon!

Jeffrey Reed is a passionate professional who is dedicated to growing economies at the local level, with over two decades of economic development, community development and city planning experience working in the public and private sectors. He has dedicated his professional career to rural America.

Reed has worked in Southern Virginia since 2003. During his various duty assignments, he has had to opportunity to work projects both large and small.

Reed is a resident of Clarksville, VA and a graduate of Marshall University.

Representing the non-profit sector and the western portion of the region, Karl Stauber is a native of Statesville, North Carolina, and has served as president of the Danville Regional Foundation since 2007. His previous Foundation experience for the Northwest Area Foundation in St. Paul, Minnesota grounded him in the areas of community poverty reduction. He also served as Undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics for the United States Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C., providing linkages to federal programs and policy-makers. Karl writes and speaks extensively on economic and workforce issues affecting rural communities.

Representing the higher education sector and the eastern portion of the region, Sherry Swinson is the executive director for Hull Springs Farm, a Longwood University property located in the Northern Neck of Virginia. Her previous career focused on the practice of economic development in southern and central Virginia at both the local and regional levels. Sherry is currently active in several civic roles, including the Southside Virginia Community College Foundation, the Bon Secours/St. Francis Medical Center Community Advisory Board, the Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Friends of High Bridge Trail State Park, and the Farmville Womens' Leadership Network.

Representing the financial sector and the eastern portion of the region, Lauren Willis is the BSA officer for the Bank of Charlotte County. She is a native of Charlotte Court House and returned to the county after finishing law school in 2012. Her husband's family owns and operates Roanoke Plantation, a natural beef cattle operation in Randolph.