Board of Directors

The Western Virginia Workforce Development Board is a partnership of public and private sector organizations dedicated to achieving regional workforce and economic development goals.

Board of Directors is appointed by the Chief Local Elected Officials Consortium (CLEO) from nominations received from board members, partner organizations or any member of the public residing in Area III. The board is made up of eight business sector members — one for each locality — and seven members from partner organizations. Directors must be residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Each director serves for a three-year term and may be appointed for an additional three-year term. Directors receive training sessions related to board service and the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. Board of director bylaws require membership include at least 51 percent private sector members, who may represent the locality in which their organization is based or where the individual resides.

Hiawatha Nicely (2014) Chair
President & CEO
New Century Consultants, Inc.
Fincastle, VA

Joyce Kessinger (2013) Vice Chair
Human Resource Manager
Boxley Materials Company
Roanoke, VA

Bill Jones (2014) Treasurer
Senior Vice President
HomeTown Bank
Roanoke, VA

Naomi Powers (2015) Secretary
Human Resource Generalist
Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital
Rocky Mount, VA

Carroll Gentry (2014) Immediate Past Chair
Owner, Tanglewood Estates
Roanoke, VA

Wayne E. Flippen (2014) Former Chair
Director
Small Business Development Center
Roanoke, VA

Kathy Holcomb (2015)  Interim
Manager
Virginia Employment Commission
Roanoke, VA

Joseph Brinley (2013)
Instructor, Joint Apprenticeship & Training Program
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 26
Roanoke, VA

Ted Edlich (2015)
President
TAP This Valley Works
Roanoke, VA

Teresa Hammond (2014)
Executive Director
Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce
Covington, VA

Donnie Spangler (2016)
Region 5 ABE Program Manager
Salem City Public Schools
Salem, VA

Shawn Hildebrand (2014)
General Manager
Craig/Botetourt Electric Coop
New Castle, VA

Gwendolyn Johnson (2014)
Resident Service Director
Roanoke Redevelopment & Housing Authority
Roanoke, VA

Jill Loope (2013)
Assistant Director of Economic Development
Roanoke County
Roanoke, VA

Lawrence Musgrove (2015)
President
LCM Corporation
Wirtz, VA

Michelle Wells  (2014)
Human Resource Director
Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Service
Roanoke, VA

Paul Paradzinski (2013)
U.S. Forestry Service, Retired
Catawba, VA

Jim Poythress (2013)
Dean of Business
Virginia Western Community College
Roanoke, VA

Gary Saunders (2014)
President
Timber Truss Housing Systems
Salem, VA

Dr. Richard Teaff (2013)
President
Dabney S. Lancaster Community College
Clifton Forge, VA

King Tower (2015)
Attorney
Spillman, Thomas & Battle
Roanoke, VA

John Weaver (2015)
President
Local Labor Union #980
Roanoke, VA

Matt Whitcomb, Jr. (2015)
Vice President
ACS Home Entertainment
Roanoke, VA

Jane Conlin (2014) Ex-Officio
Director, Departments of Social and Human Services
City of Roanoke
Roanoke, VA

Kathy Hodges (2014)
Manager
The Franklin Center
Rocky Mount, VA