MEET OUR TEAM

Senior Leadership Team

Jon Morris

Jon Morris

President & Chief Executive Officer

Email:  JonM@HopeTreeFS.org
Phone:  (540) 389-5468

Jon Morris grew up in Pearisburg, VA, where he graduated from Giles High School in 1990. Jon went to Ferrum College, where he received a BS in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice.  After several years in the workforce, Jon returned to school and received his MA in Management from Regent University in 2008, with a concentration in Non-profit Leadership.

After graduating from Ferrum, Jon’s first job was at the Virginia Baptist Children’s Home, where he worked in Emergency Care.  Jon then moved on to positions at the Roanoke City Health, Department and Total Action for Progress (TAP), where he led programs for young fathers and ex-offenders.  In 2001, TAP received one of six national demonstration grants from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, which allowed The Reaching Out to Adolescent Dads (ROAD) and the Fathers at Work programs to grow to be the largest fatherhood program in the state of Virginia.  As a result of this work, Jon’s first book, “The ROAD to Fatherhood,” was published by Morning Glory Press in 2002.

In 2004, Jon was hired as the Executive Director of Support to Eliminate Poverty (STEP), Inc.  STEP, Inc. provided a wide array of services for Franklin and Patrick Counties’ low-income residents.  Programs included Head Start, Early Head Start, Project Discovery (college access programs for first-generation students), ex-offender services, homeless programs, Section 8, Housing and Weatherization services, Meals on Wheels, Indoor Plumbing, and Rehabilitation programs, a Private Day School named LIFES Academy, and more.  During Jon’s tenure, STEP doubled the number of employees, annual revenue, clients served and increased their service area to include 3 more counties and two more cities.

In late 2013, Jon went to Family Preservation Services as an Assistant State Director and was named CEO/State Director in June 2014.  Family Preservation Services, one of the largest private providers of mental and behavioral health services in the state of Virginia, provides programs such as Therapeutic Day Treatment (TDT), Mental Health Skill Building (MHSS), Intensive In-Home Services, Autism Services, Psycho-social Rehab, Therapeutic Mentoring, Outpatient Therapy, and much more.  FPS provided services to more than 5,000 unduplicated clients annually through more than 700 employees serving 85% of Virginia localities through 21 regional offices.

Jon is very active at Shiloh Baptist Church in Salem, VA, where he has served as a Deacon since 2003.  In addition to his role as a Deacon, he also teaches Sunday school and the weekly Men’s Bible Study, and serves as Chairperson of the Budget Committee and the Personnel Committee.

In his spare time, Jon enjoys playing golf, watching the Washington Nationals and the Virginia Tech Hokies, and spending time with his family.  He’s happily married to his wonderful wife Katrina and they are the proud parents of Ameer, Nina, and Lyla.

Johnnie Nash

Johnnie Nash

Vice President & Chief Operations Officer

Email:  Johnnie@HopeTreeFS.org
Phone:  (540) 389-5468

Mr. Nash currently serves as the Vice President for Programs at HopeTree Family Services. He is responsible for providing leadership and supervision for the Childrens’ and DDM ministries. Mr. Nash has also held several other management positions since joining the HopeTree staff in 1983. Mr. Nash holds a Master’s Degree in Human Services Administration and serves on local FAPT teams.

Mr. Nash lives in Roanoke with his wife and two children.

Lisa Lambrecht

Lisa Lambrecht

Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Email:  Lisa.Lambrecht@HopeTreeFS.org
Phone:  (540) 389-5468

Ms. Lambrecht currently serves as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer where she oversees the Business Office and the financial operations of the Agency. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Old Dominion University and an M.B.A. with an Accounting Specialization from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University. Ms. Lambrecht comes to HopeTree with 23 years of accounting and executive leadership experience in the credit union industry with her most recent role being Executive Vice President of ValleyStar Credit Union.

Originally from Chesapeake, VA., Ms. Lambrecht spent 13 years in Richmond before settling in Franklin County in 2019. Her spare time is spent with her husband, two children, and friends and enjoying activities like camping, hiking, riding ATVs, and kayaking.

Lisa Clause

Lisa Clause

Chief Advancement Officer

Email:  Lisa.Clause@HopeTreeFS.org
Phone:  (540) 389-2112

Ms. Clause serves as Chief Advancement Officer. In this role, she oversees strategic planning and execution for advancement, marketing, and communications. Critical to the position is board and donor relations. She is happy to join the team and share her knowledge and experience to benefit HopeTree’s mission.

Previously, she served as Senior Director of Marketing and Philanthropy, Public Information Officer at Richfield Living. Ms. Clause has over 25 years of marketing, sales, communications, and fundraising experience. Currently, she serves on four boards and has successfully chaired the Annual Campaign for the YMCA for two years. She holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Liberty University and a BS in Marketing Management from Virginia Tech. She resides in Salem with her husband where she likes to garden, read, and travel.

Sherry Guerrant

Sherry Guerrant

Chief of People Officer

Email:  Sherry.Guerrant@HopeTreeFS.org
Phone: (540) 389-5468

Ms. Guerrant currently serves as the Chief People Officer for HopeTree Family Services.  In this position she not only oversees the Human Resources Department but she is responsible for developing and executing HR strategy in support of HopeTree’s overall mission and vison.

She comes to HopeTree with 10 years of Human Resources experience and over 20 years of management experience. She holds a BA in Business Administration from Mary Baldwin University and is currently pursuing her MBA in Human Resources Management from Averett University.

Ms. Guerrant is a native of the Roanoke Valley and in her spare time she enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Dr. Challen Mabry

Dr. Challen Mabry

Chief Clinical Officer

Email:  ChallenM@HopeTreeFS.org
Phone:  (540) 389-5468

Dr. Challen Mabry is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Virginia. She holds a BA from Hollins University in Psychology and Sociology, a MA.Ed in Counselor Education from Virginia Tech, and Doctorate of Philosophy in Counselor Education from Virginia Tech. Her professional experience has been focused on providing community based behavioral health services to predominately Medicaid populations. Dr. Mabry has served in various leadership roles to include Director of Quality Assurance and Clinical Director for over 5 years. She has significant experience working alongside regulatory bodies throughout the transition to managed care in Virginia. Dr. Mabry has additional focused training and certifications in Applied Behavior Analysis, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. She also serves as an Assistant Professor in departments of Psychology & Human Services and Counseling Education at Bluefield College. Dr. Mabry is passionate about training behavioral health professionals to provide empathetic, evidenced-based, trauma and culturally responsive interventions. Her research interests include issues of social justice and furthering counselor competencies of evidenced informed practice.

Dr. Mabry is a wife and mother to two small girls who keep her on her toes. She is an avid outdoors enthusiast and is most happy when spending time with her immediate and extended family on their shared family property. Additionally, she enjoys ministering to others through acts of kindness, often through preparing a meal.

Dr. Mabry is very excited to join the team at HopeTree! The mission of the organization deeply resonates with her personal goals of serving others first in all that she does. The opportunity to be a servant leader for an organization that also values service to others through exceptional clinical services, is an ideal fit. She is eager to meet staff and clients over the next several months and be a resource for the remarkable work that is already occurring.

Shannon Updike

Shannon Updike

Chief Compliance Officer

Email:  ShannonB@HopeTreeFS.org
Phone:  (804) 201-9006


Shannon Updike joined HopeTree in 2005 and currently serves as HopeTree’s Chief Compliance Officer. In this role, she is responsible for the agency’s compliance, risk, quality, and privacy efforts to include compliance with HIPAA laws. In addition, Ms. Updike oversees HopeTree’s accreditation processes and the performance, training, and outcomes of the Electronic Health Record..
Ms. Updike has held several positions in her eighteen years with the agency, including Case Worker, Foster Care Supervisor, Associate Director of Foster Care, and Director of Foster Care. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Longwood University, a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Ms. Updike has served as adjunct faculty at Virginia State University in the Social Work Department and currently serves as the Co-Chair of the State and Local Advisory Council, SLAT, where she represents Private Providers.

Ms. Updike has dedicated her career to supporting children and families involved with the child welfare system through foster care. She is committed to lifelong learning, teaching, and serving others. When not working, she enjoys adventures with her husband of fifteen years and spending time with her nieces and nephew.

Erik Robinson

Erik Robinson

Director of Business Development

Email:  Erik.Robinson@HopeTreeFS.org
Phone:  (276) 245-6278

Erik Robinson serves as our Director of Business Development. In this role, he is responsible for growing HopeTree’s recognition and census through consistent and strategic outreach and relationship development with referring organizations and localities.

Robinson brings a wealth of knowledge and more than 20 years experience in youth services, building strategic partnerships, and community outreach. Most recently, he served as Community Liaison at Intercept Health where he was responsible for marketing education and outreach to ensure timely access to resources and increase community awareness.  

Robinson is a graduate of Ferrum College, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in English. Currently, he serves as chair of the Tazewell County Public Schools Board, delegate for the Virginia School Boards Association, member of the Family Assessment and Planning Teams for Wythe County and Lynchburg, member of the Bland County Community Policy and Management Team, and board member for JRCC and the Southwest Vendor Fair.

Dr. Laurie McCracken

Dr. Laurie McCracken

Director of Education

Email:  Laurie.McCracken@HopeTreeFS.org
Phone:  (540) 389-4941

Dr. Laurie McCracken currently serves as the Director of Education for HopeTree Family Services. In this position she serves as the primary administrator at HopeTree Academy and is responsible for cultivating an environment that is focused on our student’s educational, clinical, and physical needs to ensure students can leave HopeTree Academy with the tools and support needed to be successful.

Dr. McCracken comes to HopeTree with over 2o years of experience in public and private school education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management and Development from Bluefield College, a Master’s of Education degree in Special Education from Liberty University, and an Educational Specialist and Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University.

Dr. McCracken is a wife and a mother of four children. She is actively involved in the community through a local church she co-founded with her husband in Salem, Virginia, where she has served as a Youth Director, Mission Director, AWANA Commander and Sunday School teacher throughout the years. Please help us welcome Dr. McCracken to HopeTree!

Brandon Rose

Brandon Rose

Director of Therapeutic Group Homes

Email:  Brandon.Rose@HopeTreeFS.org
Phone:  (540) 387-4993

Brandon Rose serves as HopeTree’s Director of Therapeutic Group Homes. In this role, Rose is responsible for working with the therapeutic group homes team to enhance the development of the daily living program within each group home cottage while ensuring that the residents’ needs are met.

A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Rose has more than 10 years of client centered practice and management experience in a clinical setting. Throughout his career, Rose has a proven ability to forge sustainable relationships with education professionals, community partners, and the most vulnerable populations. Prior to joining HopeTree, Rose was a Regional Clinical Program Coordinator with Intercept Health where he assisted in building and developing teams, improved on and implemented program policy, assisted with managing multiple community based programs, supported and nurtured staff, clients, and other management team members. In addition, he has experience with developing electronic health records, training crisis prevention and intervention, and as an outpatient therapist.  

Rose is a graduate of James Madison University, earning a Bachelor of Social Work degree, and the University of South Carolina, where he earned a Masters of Social Work. Currently, Rose is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker through the Virginia Board of Social Work and certified for the Board of Social Work Approved Licensure Supervisor, as a Crisis Prevention Intervention-Instructor (CPI), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Therapeutic Options TOVA.

Kristen West

Kristen West

Director of Developmental Disabilities Ministry

Email:  KristenW@HopeTreeFS.org
Phone: (540) 389-5468

Mrs. Kristen West joined HopeTree Family Services Developmental Disabilities Ministry (DDM) in 2018 and currently serves as the Director of DDM.  She has served as an Area Coordinator and Associate Director before accepting the role of Director in 2022.  Mrs. West holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Public Policy & Community Services, Political Science and French Language & Literature from Emory & Henry College.  She also obtained a Master’s Degree in Human Services Counseling with a focus in Executive Leadership from Liberty University and is currently on track to receive a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA).

Mrs. West has worked in Human Services in several positions, including Child Protective Services Worker and CPS Supervisor before joining the DDM Team.  She is currently a certified Therapeutic Options Instructor and Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED Instructor.  Dedicated to providing premier services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Kristen enjoys coaching, teaching and mentoring DDM team members to provide person-centered supports and to strive for excellence. When not working, Kristen enjoys sports-filled weekends with her four children and husband.

Board of Trustees

Rev. George Fletcher, III

Rev. George Fletcher, III

Chairman of the Board

Rev. George Fletcher retired as pastor of First Baptist Church, Winchester, Virginia in 2016. He pastored four Virginia Baptist churches for a total of 38 years. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served on two other Baptist boards, GraceInside and the former Religious Herald. George is active in Virginia Baptist Disaster Response. He is a past President of the Baptist General Association of Virginia. He and his wife, Peggy, live in Zion Crossroads, Virginia, and are members of Beaver Dam Baptist Church in Troy, Virginia. They have two sons and three teenage granddaughters.

Dr. Kim Baskette

Dr. Kim Baskette

Dr. Baskette is an Assistant Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Public Health & Healthcare Leadership at Radford University Carilion in Roanoke, VA. Kim holds a MS.Ed. in Health Promotion from Virginia Tech and a PhD in Education from Old Dominion University. She has 20+ years’ experience in higher education and has worked with students from all cultures and backgrounds. Kim has served as a volunteer for CASA of the New River Valley and has a passion for serving and advocating for children.

A native of Chesapeake VA, Kim and her husband relocated to the area from Virginia Beach four years ago and currently live in Salem. Kim has two children and she and her husband just welcomed their first grandson in September. They will be welcoming their second grandson, who is expected to arrive in January 2024.

Mr. R. Wayne Brockwell

Mr. R. Wayne Brockwell

Mr. Brockwell is Claims Counsel with Kinsale Insurance Company. A graduate of Ferrum College and Golden Gate University School of Law, his background includes, serving on various board of directors, including Valor and Grace, D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, Ferrum College Alumni Board of Directors, and Rockville Youth Sports. Mr. Brockwell is a member of the Lawrenceville Baptist Church. He lives in Midlothian with his wife Maria, and son Hudson.

Dr. Bert Browning

Dr. Bert Browning

Dr. Browning is a retired Virginia Baptist pastor, having served churches in Southampton County, Bedford County, Culpeper, and North Chesterfield over a period of 37 years. A native of Chesterfield County, he and his wife, Rose, have three grown daughters and four grandchildren. Bert is a graduate of the College of William and Mary, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Union Presbyterian Seminary. He is a past president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia and a past moderator of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Virginia. He has served on the board of trustees of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond and of LifeSpire of Virginia (Virginia Baptist Homes, Inc.). Bert and Rose are members of River Road Church, Baptist, in Richmond.

Mr. Ron Clark

Mr. Ron Clark

Ron J. Clark is a nationally recognized authority on community engagement, fatherhood outreach services, and community health issues. He has served as lead consultant on numerous private foundation and federal grant projects.

He holds a M.A. in Public Policy and a MBA Executive Education Certificate. He is a published author with numerous research and print media outlets to include, but not limited to: American Humane Association, American Bar Association Center for Children and the Law, National Healthy Black Men, and Jet Magazine.

He recently served on special assignment as Statewide Supervisor for the Virginia COVID 19 Inquiry Center. This center responds to the critical health and social needs of Virginians related to the coronavirus pandemic. Today, he serves as a trainer, consultant, and organizational development specialist to over 4,000 employees with the State Department of Health.

Mr. Bill DeWorken

Mr. Bill DeWorken

Bill is the President and CEO of Epoch Properties, Inc., in Richmond, VA, and manages several affordable independent apartment communities for Seniors.  He is married and has four children and three granddaughters.  He and his family worked with HopeTree in supplying the flooring and appliances for the Mary Louise Kelly Home in Fredericksburg, VA.  His daughter, Leigh, currently lives at the group home and was one of their first residents.  Bill and his wife, Mary T., have been members of Huguenot Road Baptist Church for over 30 years where he currently serves as Chairman of the Trustees.

Mr. Mike Elmore

Mr. Mike Elmore

Mr. Elmore has been employed by Roanoke City Department of Social Services for the past 28 years and currently serves as Family Service Supervisor – administering a low-income federal subsidized child care program for people to attend work and school. He holds a BS in Psychology from Bluefield College and an MSW from Virginia Commonwealth University. A significant part of his experience has been working with children in foster care, child protective services, visitation and custody in court, etc. He and his wife, Carol, have been members at the Oak Grove Church of the Brethren in Roanoke for the past 30 years. Carol is employed by the church as the minister of nurture and music. They have 2 children.

Mr. John M. Garnett, III

Mr. John M. Garnett, III

Mr. Garnett enjoyed a 50-year career as a mechanical contractor and continues to hold a state masters mechanical license. Having sold his contracting business, he continues his residential and commercial property management work. A native of Spotsylvania County, he and his wife Elizabeth have two grown children and two grandchildren. Mr. Garnett is a graduate of Hargrave Military Academy and the University of Richmond with a BA in Economics. Mr. Garnett served 16 years on the Spotsylvania County School Board, 3 years as chairman. He served as a deacon and usher at Fredericksburg Baptist Church. Mr. Garnett is a second generation HopeTree Trustee having followed has mothers many years on the board.  

Ms. Sydney Gustafson

Ms. Sydney Gustafson

Ms. Gustafson is an attorney with BrownGreer PLC, a settlement administration and litigation management firm in Richmond, VA. She holds degrees in political science from UNC-Chapel Hill and law from the University of Richmond. Ms. Gustafson has worked with children in various capacities, which include representing families in court matters, coaching youth basketball, and working at a residential facility for at-risk young women. She, her husband, and three boys live in Richmond, VA.

Ms. Tracy Hale

Ms. Tracy Hale

Tracy Hale is a Health Insurance Broker at Business Solutions in Salem. Tracy is a 2002 graduate of Emory & Henry College holding a Bachelors degree in Communications. Tracy previously served at Virginia Lutheran Homes as the Director of Human Resources and has 20+ years of Human Resources experience. Prior to joining VLH, Tracy served as a Corporate & Retail Recruiter for SunTrust Bank, overseeing territories throughout SW Virginia and West Virginia.

Tracy has served in multiple capacities on the Board for the Roanoke Valley Society for Human Resource Management, including President, and currently as the Marketing Chair. She has served as a member of the Salem-Roanoke Chamber of Commerce Foundation Board and as a co-chair for the Jill’s Buddy Camp Golf Tournament, raising funds to help partner high school students with children that are developmentally delayed. She is currently serving on the board for the Salem Roanoke County Food Pantry, Healing Wheels (an organization that raises funds to help cancer patients with transportation needs while receiving treatment) and the American Cancer Society.

Mr. Derek Hicks

Mr. Derek Hicks

Mr. Hicks is employed as a Commercial Portfolio Manager for Union Bank & Trust. Prior to joining Union Bank & Trust, Mr. Hicks worked for several years in public accounting. He is a member of Melrose Baptist Church, where he serves on the finance committee and the counting committee. A graduate of Radford University (BBA, Accounting), Mr. Hicks lives in Roanoke with his wife, Morgan.

Dr. Melissa Jackson

Dr. Melissa Jackson

Dr. Jackson is on faculty of the newly-founded Sophia Theological Seminary and Farms in Dinwiddie, VA. She also serves as chair of the Seminary board of trustees. Her area of expertise is the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), and she has authored a number of articles and a book. Dr. Jackson is also the Managing Editor of the theological journal Review & Expositor. She was on the faculty of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond (BTSR) for seven years. Dr. Jackson received a Doctor of Philosophy in Theology (Old Testament) from the University of Oxford, a Master of Divinity from BTSR, and a BA from the University of North Carolina. She and her spouse, Brian, live in Dinwiddie County, and her church home is Grace Baptist Church in Richmond.

Mr. L. Richard Martin

Mr. L. Richard Martin

Mr. Martin is the retired Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs for the Virginia Department of Social Services. Prior to his career in social services, he worked as a broadcast journalist in the Roanoke and Lynchburg markets. He received his degree in economics from Lynchburg College in 1970. Mr. Martin is a past president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia. He holds a number of leadership roles and is a Deacon at Huguenot Road Baptist Church. With his wife, Beverly, he resides in the Bon Air area of Chesterfield County. He has two sons, a stepson, a stepdaughter. five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Dr. Kathy Matthews

Dr. Kathy Matthews

Dr. Kathy Matthews is the Chief Clinical Officer of All Needs Planning where she supports families to create Special Needs Master Plans in collaboration with experts in financial, legal, and tax planning and she is also a Visiting Professor at the University of Virginia. Kathy grew up in Richmond, Virginia and attended Virginia Commonwealth University for her bachelor’s degree in psychology. She completed her Master’s and PhD at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York where she also taught students with disabilities from early intervention through high school. She returned to Richmond as an administrator at The Faison Center, helping to provide services to children, adults and families impacted by autism. Outside of her professional obligations, she lives in Powhatan County with her two incredible little boys and two obnoxious, adorable dogs.

Ms. Morgan Meador

Ms. Morgan Meador

Ms. Meador is a Partner with BrownGreer PLC, a settlement administration and litigation management firm in Richmond, Virginia. She graduated from Wake Forest University with a BA and received her JD from the University of Richmond School of Law. Ms. Meador has supported HopeTree for several years and previously worked with at-risk children as a volunteer at a domestic violence shelter. She lives in Richmond with her husband and two young children.

Mr. John Mizell

Mr. John Mizell

Mr. Mizell is a partner and attorney with Spinella, Owings & Shaia PC. He is a past President of the Henrico County Bar Association and past Chair of the Senior Lawyers Conference of the Virginia State Bar. He has served for many years as guardian ad litem representing children in custody, visitation, abuse, and neglect cases. He has served on the Board of Trustees for HopeTree Family Services for more than 30 years. He also served as Chair of the Board of Trustees from 2011 through 2018. Mr. Mizell is an active member of Grace Baptist Church, where he has served as a Deacon and currently serves as a Sunday School teacher and member of the choir. A graduate of the University of Richmond (BA, 1970 & JD, 1976) and George Washington University (MA, 1972), Mr. Mizell lives in Richmond with his wife, Anna Marie. They have two married sons and three grandchildren.

Ms. Mia Pumo

Ms. Mia Pumo

Ms. Pumo is an Educational Consultant with Ed Direction, a national organization serving school districts all across America. She has worked in the field of education for over 25 years. She has been an elementary teacher, instructional coach, administrator, and business owner. She is passionate about using positive psychology research to enhance the lives of educators and improve outcomes for students.
Mrs. Pumo holds a B.A. degree in Radio, Television, and Film from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master’s in Education from UNC – Greensboro, and a Master’s in School Administration from High Point University. A significant part of her educational experience has involved work with at-risk students.
Originally from North Carolina, she and her husband, Matt, now reside in Salem, VA. They have four children.

Mrs. Trinette Randolph

Mrs. Trinette Randolph

Mrs. Randolph works as a Program Manager at the Virginia Health Care Foundation. She has  focused her entire career on improving healthcare for all Virginians, including youth. She has a passion for serving underserved communities and has more than 20 years’ experience working with organizations advancing community and public health.

Mrs. Randolph has worked with youth in various capacities including serving on the Chesterfield County School Health Advisory Board and the Virginia Foundation for Health Youth’s Central Regional Advisory Board.

Originally from Roanoke, she earned a B.S. in Health Sciences from James Madison University, and a M.S. in Education/Health Promotion from Virginia Tech. Mrs. Randolph lives just outside of Richmond with her family.

Ms. Laura Riha

Ms. Laura Riha

Laura works at Radford University in the Clinical Simulation Center as an Educational Support Specialist and Standardized Patient. She received both her Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications and her Master of Education Degree in Health Science from James Madison University. Laura has worked in various settings as a Community Health Educator to include: universities, associations, public health departments, and corporations. She also served as a Contractor/Quality Assurance Interviewer for National Core Indicators. This is a standard measure conducted across states to assess the quality and outcomes of Developmental Disability (DD) services provided to individuals with IDD and their families.

She and her husband Chris, have a son Tate who was diagnosed at an early age with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. Laura has tried to be his voice and advocate to make sure he receives all the services and opportunities that he needs to have a full and productive life.

Laura and her family have lived in the Roanoke area over 20 years and enjoy all the recreational activities the area has to offer. They enjoy cycling, swimming, and hiking.

Mr. Pat Shaffner

Mr. Pat Shaffner

Mr. Shaffner retired as the Chairman/CEO of Sherertz Franklin Crawford Shaffner, Inc. in 1998 but has remained a very active member of his community, serving on more than 30 various boards and committees in addition to the HopeTree Family Services Board of Trustees and the Virginia Baptist Children’s Home & Family Services Foundation Board. Mr. Shaffner graduated from Virginia Tech in 1961 with a BS in Civil Engineering. He served two years with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers before beginning his engineering/architecture career. Mr. Shaffner lives in Salem with his wife, Patricia Anne, where they attend the Church of the Holy Spirit. They have a son and two daughters. Mr. Shaffner is a member of Who’s Who in America and a member of the Virginia Tech Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni.

Mrs. Carla Shepherd

Mrs. Carla Shepherd

Mrs. Shepherd has been employed by Wells Fargo for the past 27 years and currently serves as a Vice-President specializing in Digital Payments. She holds a BA in Rhetoric and Communication Studies from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. She is on the executive board of Ivies Incorporated of the Roanoke Valley and previously served as the past Vice-President. She has also served as board secretary for Mental Health America of the Roanoke Valley.  She is a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Salem, VA, and is also the Financial Secretary. She lives in Roanoke with her husband William. They have one adult daughter.

Dr. Patrick Wood

Dr. Patrick Wood

Dr. Wood is the Senior Pastor of Smithfield Baptist Church in Smithfield, Virginia with 20 years of professional ministry in Virginia and Indiana. He is a graduate of Roanoke College, Princeton Theological Seminary and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Wood previously served for 7 years as the Executive Director of The Dominion School for Autism (now The Founder’s Center) in Richmond, Virginia. He and his wife, Jen, formed and led DSFA through a time of tremendous growth with many students educated and families supported. He resides in Smithfield with his wife and three children.

 

Mr. Richard W. Wright

Mr. Richard W. Wright

Mr. Wright is semi-retired. He attended the University of Richmond, Dartmouth, and the American College, earning his Chartered Life Underwriter designation. He also received an honorary Doctor of Law degree from Averett University. His community involvement includes Past Chamber President, US Olympic Committee State Chair; the United Way, the Averett University Board of Trustees, and Board Member of the Virginia Colleges Fund. Mr. Wright is a member of Derbyshire Baptist Church where his service includes that of Trustee, Deacon, Personnel Committee, and past Finance Chair. He lives in Richmond and has three children, nine grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.