United Way of Southwest Virginia announces new director, board; more …

Here’s a roundup of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org .

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United Way of Southwest Virginia announces new director, board

Megan Parks has been hired as the new executive director for United Way of Southwest Virginia, which also has a new board of directors.

Parks brings a decade’s worth of experience designing and leading community-based programming and nonprofit strategy to the nonprofit, which is based in Abingdon. Most recently, she directed strategy and impact initiatives for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, according to a news release announcing her hiring.

“We are thrilled to have Megan’s leadership during this important time for United Way of Southwest Virginia,” Kris Westover, president of Mountain Empire Community College and incoming chair of the board, said in the release. “She brings a wealth of strategic planning, public policy and program development skills that will play a critical role in continuing our work.”

Travis Staton, the longtime director of the United Way, will continue serving as president and CEO of EO, or Endless Opportunity, which is the program arm of the agency. In February, United Way announced it was reorganizing into two separate nonprofits to expand its program delivery model.

“Travis has been serving as both president and CEO of EO and as interim executive director of UWSWVA. As I assume leadership of United Way of Southwest Virginia, he will transition away and focus solely on leading EO,” Parks said Tuesday.

A new board was also announced. In addition to Westover, the board members are: Todd Asbury, pastor; Cameron Bell, Penn Stuart; Haskel Bledsoe, Food City; Dennis Carter, Smyth County Public Schools; Whitney Czelusniak, American Electric Power; Paula Dawson-Downs, Radford University; Donna Henry, University of Virginia’s College at Wise; Lucy Hochstein, Radford University; Kalen Hunter, UVA Wise; Alan Jones Jr., Alpha Natural Resources; Brendan McSheehy, Universal Fiber Systems; Heather Nicholson, self-employed; Andre Richmond, Virginia Department of Social Services; A.J. Robinson, Tazewell County; Jonathan Sweet, Pulaski County; and Chad Whittington, Mohawk Industries.

United Way of Southwest Virginia covers more than 20% of the state and serves the counties of Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe, and the cities of Bristol, Galax, Norton and Radford.

— Susan Cameron

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Bohm named dean of Liberty’s Helms School of Government

Liberty University has named U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Jason Bohm as the new dean of the Helms School of Government, effective July 1.

Bohm most recently served as the inspector general of the Marine Corps before retiring earlier this year.

Among his other positions, Bohm also has served as chief of staff for the Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, as commanding general of the Marine Corps Recruiting Command and Marine Corps Training Command, as director of the Marine Corps Legislative Liaison Office for the U.S. House of Representatives and as a strategic planner for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Bohm holds a bachelor’s degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology, a master’s degree in military studies from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and a master’s degree in national security strategy from the National War College at the National Defense University.

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League of Women Voters to host program before Thursday presidential debate

The League of Women Voters of the Roanoke Valley will hold a voter information program before the presidential debate on Thursday.

The program will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Gainsboro Library in Roanoke. It’s free and open to the public.

Scheduled speakers:

Karen Walker, a member of the Roanoke Redevelopment Housing Authority board, will talk about how to help prevent people from losing their homes.

Bernadette “BJ” Lark, founder of CommUnity-ArtsReach, will discuss equity in education.

Misty Dawn Vickers, a social worker and member of Mothering Forward, will give an update on a recent caretakers’ initiative designed to help with early child care and long-term care.

Debra Carter, founder of the Roanoke Coalition for Environmental Justice, will talk about environmental justice issues.

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