We are most fortunate to have a strong and engaged board of directors representing all five West Virginia counties (Berkeley, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, and Morgan) in our service area. The board meets four times per year and each director also serves on at least one of our many active committees.
 |
Chris Janelle, President, is an Eastern Panhandle attorney who graduated from the University of Richmond, T.C. Williams School of Law in 1992. Shortly after earning his law degree, he and his wife Sherri moved to Martinsburg. They have 2 married daughters and three grandchildren.
Chris is a partner in the law firm of Sutton & Janelle, PLLC, established in 2000. He has been active in the community serving on boards for the Boys & Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle, Berkeley County Development Authority, Main Street Martinsburg, and the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce. In Martinsburg, he served as finance chair while he and his family attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. With a recent relocation to Shepherdstown, Chris and Sherri now call St. Agnes Catholic Church their home. |
 |
David Maher, Vice-President, is a resident of Hardy County, living with his wife Amy and two daughters on Watermark Farm, their family farm in the South Fork valley south of Moorefield. David and Amy are active with Duffey Memorial Methodist Church as youth group leaders for the past 15 years. They enjoy retreats, mission trips, volunteering to help with ministry events, and encouraging youth to serve their church and community.
David is a graduate of Bucknell University and a computer engineer with a background in finance and economics. He started his first company from his dorm room and has enjoyed an entrepreneurial career ever since. He was a founder of INO.com as a financial market information source for equities, foreign exchange, and commodities markets and grew the online business for 25 years. INO.com is now a division of TIFIN’s Magnifi Communities, and David serves as the Chief Technology Officer, overseeing the infrastructure for company brands and building data analysis and integration tools. David enjoys hiking, canoeing, high-performance driver education events, motorsports, and traveling with family. |
 |
Patty Austin, Secretary, is a native West Virginian. Patty grew up in Clarksburg and taught in St. Marys and Parkersburg before moving in 2005 to Capon Springs. As a music educator with degrees from WV Wesleyan College and Indiana University in Bloomington, she has taught preschool through college. She currently conducts a children’s choir and a youth chorale for the Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy in Winchester, VA. Her choirs have performed as WV Honor Choirs, on Mountain Stage, at the White House, and with Celtic Woman at Wolf Trap. She has served as WV president of the Society for General Music and the American Choral Directors Association. In 2010 she invited civic and church leaders to come together to create Capon Valley Neighbor to Neighbor, a non-profit that engages volunteers to help people with needs such as minor home repairs or yard work, driving to appointments, financial aid in a crisis, firewood, prayers, and more. CVNN community events such as a golf tournament, community quilt, chili cook-off, and health fair bring neighbors together and nurture friendships as they work to help others. Patty and her husband Tom live happily with four kitties in Capon Springs where she is active with her church, the Wardensville Lions Club, Story Time at the library, and the family business, Capon Springs & Farms. |
 |
Thom Rubel, Treasurer, draws on more than 35 years’ experience in government, non-profit, research and private sector organizations as a program manager as well as delivering research and actionable advice specific to strategies, operations, programs, policies, and technologies unique to public/private collaboration.Currently Finance Manager at Caperton Furnitureworks, he is also an Adjunct Research Advisor with IDC – a Massachusetts-based IT research advisory firm. Prior to that, Thom served as Executive Director of the Morgan Arts Council, was President of the Berkeley Springs/Morgan County Chamber of Commerce and is currently President of the Museum of the Berkeley Springs in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. He spent 15 years in the information technology advisory business as Vice President of IDC’s Government Insights and Vice President of Government Strategies at Meta Group. Before joining the analyst community, he was Director of the Economic Development Division at the National Governors Association’s Center for Best Practices in Washington, DC, where he was responsible for assisting governors with economic development, entrepreneurship, transportation, and information technology strategies.
Thom started his career in local and regional community development with the Sioux City, Iowa Chamber of Commerce as a state legislative lobbyist, and in subsequent positions in Washington as Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of Transportation and Assistant to the Under Secretary for Small Community and Rural Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. An Iowa native, he holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of South Dakota. |
 |
Nicholas Aberegg graduated from Musselman High School and then earned his B.S. Business Administration – Finance from West Virginia University. While studying at WVU, he obtained his WV Life and Health Insurance licenses as well as his Series 7 and Series 66 securities licenses. He began his career as a Financial Advisor with AXA Advisors, now Equitable Advisors, immediately upon graduation in 2008. He holds the Retirement Planning Specialist designation. Nick, his wife Caitlin, and their children Aurora and Seneca live on the farm he grew up on in Back Creek Valley. He’s an avid golfer and is actively involved with the Berkeley County Youth Fair, Eastern Panhandle WVU Alumni Association, and the Eastern WV Community Foundation. |
 |
Rebecca Conrad is a Victim’s Advocate and Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist with the Family Crisis Center. She’s built her career around helping others to reclaim their voice and rebuild their lives. She provides trauma informed support, and guidance to survivors of abuse and individuals in recovery. With over a decade in recovery herself, Rebecca uses her lived experience to inspire hope, and empower others.
Previously, she served as the Recovery Employment Navigator for Hampshire County Pathways, focusing on fair chance employment while developing a Recovery Employment Resource Toolkit that continues to be used across the region. Deeply involved in her community, she serves on multiple local boards and councils |
 |
Leigh Fleming has worn many hats since moving to Martinsburg in 1987 including an administrative assistant at City National Bank, owner of The Scrapbook Cottage, and substitute teacher with Berkeley County Schools. She is an award-winning author of historical fiction, romantic suspense, and contemporary romance. Stay Hidden, part of the romantic suspense Hidden series won the 2017 Lone Star Writing Contest. Her latest novel, The Truth of the Matter, is her first work of historical women’s fiction and was the winner of the 2022 RONE award for American historical fiction, and the 2022 West Virginia Author Project award. Leigh lives in Martinsburg with her husband, Pat, and her deaf French bulldog, Napoleon. She’s mom to adult children, Tom and Liza. When not writing, she enjoys reading, traveling, scrapbooking, quilting, and spending time with friends. |
 |
Helen Harris is married to Leonard Harris and has two children; Shayla Harris Brown and Shaná Harris and two grandchildren Maleia and Sinceere Walton.
She attended Sumner (Ramer Memorial) School and other elementary schools in Martinsburg due to desegregation. She is a graduate of Martinsburg High School. Helen’s love for her faith led her to take theology classes thru Wheeling Jesuit, Dayton University all in conjunction with the Diocese of Wheeling Charleston. She received a certificate in Pastoral Ministry. Helen continues to take Theology classes thru Dayton University. In November 1987, she along with her husband would open an in-home health care business called, Harris Community Care, Inc. where she was President/Director/Owner, with offices in Martinsburg and Romney WV. The mission was to provide custodial care to individuals to help them to remain in their own home verses going to a nursing home. It is their belief that the business was not just a job but it was truly a ministry. They closed their door May 31, 2018 after over 30 years of service. Helen presently attends St. Agnes Catholic Church in Shepherdstown, WV, where she is a Cantor, Choir Member, Minister of Holy Communion and Interim Director of Liturgy. On April 5, 2012, Helen received the Excellence in Community Service Award from the Berkeley County Council formerly known as the Berkeley County Commission. On November 8, 2012 Helen was recognized and awarded Berkeley County Citizens of the year by the Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Martinsburg Journal. Helen was recently name as Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts. Helen and her husband Leonard manage and give tours of the Sumner Ramer School Museum which was the only school for blacks in Berkeley County. She loves praising God in song and using the gift that God has given her in her church and community. Helen loves doing community work and doing whatever she can to help others to the best of her ability. “I thank God every day for my many blessings. God has blessed me with a wonderful loving husband, two beautiful daughters, a beautiful granddaughter and grandson, family, friends and much, much more.” Luke 12:48 …….. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more. |
 |
Ashley Horst is the executive director of the Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications at Shepherd University. She is an alumna of Shepherd University from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications and was captain of the speech and debate team. She also has a Master of Arts in Communications, Culture and Technology from Georgetown University. Prior to leading the Stubblefield Institute, she worked at Hospice of the Panhandle doing marketing and fundraising for one of the Eastern Panhandle’s leading nonprofits. In the community, she has formerly been a volunteer with the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle where she reviewed grants and helped coordinate Day of Caring for more than 10 years. She is active with her church having served on the Arden United Methodist Church’s mission team for many years and holding various leadership positions within the congregation. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the VA Tri-State Chapter for the Association of Fundraising Professionals and is on the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access committee.
She lives outside of Martinsburg with her husband and 3 daughters. |
 |
Tina R. Ladd is the Executive Director of the Hampshire County Convention & Visitors Bureau, where she leads tourism promotion, community partnerships, and place-based marketing to support rural economic growth and small businesses. She has served on the Hampshire County Community Foundation Board and works closely with regional, county, and state partners to strengthen collaboration across the Eastern Panhandle.
Tina’s work centers on strategic storytelling, relationship-building, and creating opportunities that help communities thrive. |
 |
Charles Mason is a highly accomplished Senior Financial Services Operations Executive with exceptional leadership capabilities across multiple domestic and international verticals including Consumer Lending, Mortgage Lending, Commercial Lending, Collections, Customer Service, National Contact Command Center (e.g. forecasting, capacity planning, staffing, call routing) Compliance/Audit, Leadership Development, and Business Re-engineering.
He has deep leadership experience with multi-geographic operations -oversight of 8,700 employee, 4 domestic operation centers, 3 international operation centers, serving millions of customer interactions, driving efficiency and effectiveness through data analytics and inspired leadership. Mason is a sought industry contact center expert and executive of high stakes initiatives through difficult business, economic and regulatory environments and is known for his tremendous commitment to people, integrity, analytical capacity, and passion for raising the bar. Mason is a polished champion for business transformation who influenced far beyond immediate scope of control. Product and project launch background with claim to superior performance record in large scale operations, business development, Leadership development, marketing plans, and innovative distribution methods. In 2013, Mason retired from JP Morgan Chase after a 35-year career across Fortune 500 Companies, Citigroup, and JP Morgan Chase. After retirement, Charles established Crossroad Business Management and Leadership, LLC with the focus to strengthen and accelerate people and business performance through analysis of company workflows and sub-par or inefficient processes, to arrive at greater efficiencies. He earned two bachelor’s degrees (1974) from the West Virginia Institution of Technology in Business and Psychology and a master’s degree (1985) from Arizona State University in Organizational Development. Active in his community, Mason has served as Mayor of Hedgesville, in board leadership roles with both the Boys & Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle and Martinsburg Rotary Club and has earned recognition for his DEI work within Rotary. In 2023, Mason was awarded the Outstanding Citizen Award. |
 |
Lesley Parisi is a veterinarian and community leader dedicated to strengthening rural West Virginia through service, education, and local investment. Since beginning her veterinary career in 2007, she has combined her professional work with a strong commitment to community engagement and youth development.
Lesley is especially passionate about creating opportunities for communities to support and grow their own professionals, locally owned businesses, and community service organizations. Through her involvement in programs such as 4-H, agricultural and educational outreach, and volunteer initiatives, she works to ensure that rural communities remain resilient, self-sustaining, and well-supported for future generations. |
 |
Ruth Pritchard is the owner of Smithfield Farm, Smith Meadows Meats, and Smithfield Farm Bed & Breakfast in south Jefferson County. Ruth serves on the Scholarship Committee and in her spare time, she enjoys traveling and gardening. |
 |
D. Scott Roach, is currently the president of Randerson, Inc. and DSR Flex, LLC commercial real estate holding companies as well as the Past President and Co-owner of R. M. Roach and Sons, Inc., a regional petroleum and retail operations company with convenience stores and Subway restaurants located in eastern West Virginia and western Maryland. He is a lifelong resident of Martinsburg WV and a 1980 graduate of Shepherd University. Scott currently serves on and chairs WVU Medicine-East Board and is a member of Ruby Hospital and WVU Medicine System Boards. He is married to Linda and resides in Martinsburg, WV. |
 |
Jen Rolston, Past President is the founder of Eden Design, a mission-based creative agency started in 2000. A West Virginia native and graduate of Shepherd University’s BFA program, Jen has primarily worked with small businesses, non-profits, and arts organizations using her expertise to help clients achieve visions that often nurture communities, improve local economies, and foster anti-racist/anti-oppression practices. She lives in Jefferson County with her husband timber framer Patrick Shunney. Jen is a member of the Jefferson County NAACP, teaches meditation and yoga through morningdharma.com and loves to go off-grid in the WV mountains, hiking, and trail running. |
 |
Darlene Truman served on the Board of Directors of the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation for nine years. She became involved with the Foundation after establishing a fund in memory of her daughter Desiree, originally serving as a member of the Grants Committee. After joining the Board, she quickly moved up the ranks where she chaired the Investment Committee and served on the Executive Committee. Darlene was Vice-President for three years, then President of the Community Foundation in 2016 and 2017.
After her tenure as President, Darlene served as chair of our Scholarship Committee. Even after rotating off the board due to term limits, she continued to co-chair the Scholarship Committee and serve on the Investment and Governance Committees. Darlene has volunteered extensively throughout the Eastern Panhandle, serving as a victim advocate in Jefferson County, a child advocate with CASA of the Eastern Panhandle, and facilitator of a batterers intervention program for men who were court ordered to attend 32 weekly sessions as a result of a domestic battery conviction. Darlene has visited all seven continents. She and her husband Brian are accomplished ballroom dancers who live in Shepherdstown and love to travel. Darlene was a founding member of the Rotary Club of Charles Town, serving in every office, including President. She is a Paul Harris Fellow and is currently a member of the Rotary Club of Shepherdstown. |
 |
Terry Lee Walker served on the Foundation board for three terms and rotated off about five years ago. He is an agent with Coldwell Banker Real Estate in Shepherdstown and a resident of Kearneysville. Terry and his wife Margaret established the Terry Lee Walker, Jr. Scholarship Fund at the Foundation in 2006 in memory of their son. Over the years, the Fund has awarded nearly $100,000 in scholarships to students from Jefferson and Berkeley Counties. |
 |
Yvonne Williams taught English for 32 years and is a 30-year member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Honor Society. Following her retirement from education, she spent 20 years as a financial advisor with Edward Jones. Yvonne served on the Hardy County Community Foundation Board from 2012 to 2017, including three years as Chair, and rejoined the board in 2019 for an additional seven years before joining the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation Board in 2026. She currently serves as Chair of the WVU Grant Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and as Treasurer of the American Baptist Women of First Baptist Church in Petersburg, West Virginia.
Yvonne also works alongside her husband in their South Branch Valley Produce vegetable business. |
Special thanks to our Emeritus Leaders who, because of term limits, have rotated off the board, but still support the Foundation in a myriad of ways:
Jeff Boehm
Stewart Borger
Betsy Coffey
Diane Dailey
Dorothea “Tia” McMillan
Charlotte Norris
Betty Russell
Lisa Welch
Jan Wilkins
Several of our Emeritus Leaders have passed away in recent years. Although they are no longer with us, their legacies live on and we are truly grateful for all they did to advance the mission of the Foundation:
Conrad “Connie” Hammann
George Karos
Jim Keel
Judi McIntyre
Taylor Perry
Douglas M. Roach