Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation
Purpose
The Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation shall encourage the economic development of Southwest Virginia through the expansion of cultural and natural heritage ventures and initiatives related to tourism and other asset-based enterprises, including the Heartwood: Southwest Virginia's Artisan Center, The Crooked Road, 'Round the Mountain, and other related cultural and natural heritage organizations and venues that promote entrepreneurial and employment opportunities.
Term
Four Year Terms. Legislative members and ex officio members of the Foundation board of trustees shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired term. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. All members may be reappointed.
Composition
The Foundation shall be administered by a board of trustees, consisting of 23 members as follows: two members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; three members of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates; two nonlegislative citizen members who shall be residents of Southwest Virginia and two nonlegislative citizen members who shall be executive directors of either Planning District Commission 1, 2, 3, 4, or 12 or their designees, to be appointed by the Governor; one nonlegislative citizen member who shall be an elected or appointed official of the Town of Abingdon to be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation, if any, of the Abingdon Town Council; one nonlegislative citizen member who shall be an elected or appointed official of Washington County to be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation, if any, of the Washington County Board of Supervisors; four nonlegislative citizen members who shall be artisans and members of 'Round the Mountain, who shall be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the executive committee of 'Round the Mountain; and one nonlegislative citizen member who shall represent the Ninth Congressional District and serve as a member of the Virginia Commission for the Arts, to be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation, if any, of the Executive Director of the Virginia Commission for the Arts. The President of Virginia Highlands Community College or his designee shall serve ex officio with nonvoting privileges. The Chairman of The Crooked Road, the Chairman of 'Round the Mountain, the Chairman of the Friends of Southwest Virginia, the Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, the Director of the Virginia Tourism Corporation, and the Executive Director of the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center or their designees shall serve ex officio with voting privileges. privileges. The Chairman of The Crooked Road, the Chairman of "Round the Mountain, the Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, the Director of the Virginia Tourism Corporation, and the Executive Director of the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center or their designees shall serve ex officio with voting privileges.
Vacant Seats
No seats are available at this time. If you are interested in joining this board in the future, please submit an application here.
Current Board Members
Ms Julie W. Steele
Round the Mountain Artisan Membership expires on 6/30/2027Sharon Buchanan
Round the Mountain Artisan Membership expires on 6/30/2027Mrs. Deborah Cordelia Milton
Round the Mountain Artisan Membership expires on 6/30/2027Hayley Allison
Commission for the Arts 9th Congressional District Representative Membership expires on 6/30/2027Scott Wampler
Planning District Commission Executive Director Membership expires on 6/30/2027Kevin Byrd
Planning District Commission Executive Director Membership expires on 6/30/2027Mr Michael A. Cochran
Town of Abingdon Official Membership expires on 6/30/2027Saul Hernandez
Washington County Official Membership expires on 6/30/2027Hon. Becky Nave
Round the Mountain Artisan Membership expires on 6/30/2027Ruby Rogers
Resident of Southwest Virginia Membership expires on 6/30/2027