Our Board of Directors

Our Staff & Executive Committee

President - Vacant

Presidential Search in Process

The Commonwealth Alliance for Rural Colleges is beginning its search process to fill the vacancy in the position of President of the organization. During this leadership transition, CARC will continue to build on its nearly half-century legacy of support for its member institutions and their students.

Ms. Liz Povar

Chair

A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Liz Povar is the founder of The RiverLink Group, a solopreneur economic development consulting firm focusing on the intersection of intersection of higher education, workforce and community development. Liz has over 38 years in economic development at the local, regional and state levels.

In 2014 Liz was named the 2014 Alumna of the Year for Bluefield College and also received the Jorman D. Granger Service Award from LEAD Virginia. She is a past President of the Virginia Economic Developers Association and received its Cardinal Award in 2011. She is co-founder of CARES (Children Are Really Extra Special), and currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Virginia Rural Center; Chairman, Virginia Ed Strategies, Inc.; the Rappahannock Community College Advisory Board; and the Advisory Council for Cardinal Education.

Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Bluefield College in 2000
Certified Economic Developer designation from IEDC in 1997
CEcD Emeritus designation from IEDC in 2017

Mr. Brad Hall

Vice Chair

Brad N. Hall is the Vice President of External Affairs for Appalachian Power Company, a subsidiary of American Electric Power (AEP). Brad’s territories of responsibility include Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee, where he leads the following departments: Governmental Affairs, Community Affairs, Economic & Business Development, Corporate Communications, and Customer Services. Brad moved to Appalachian Power in 2018 from another AEP Subsidiary, Kentucky Power Company where he was Manager of External Affairs. Prior to joining AEP, Brad was the President and CEO of the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce where he was very involved in economic development for eight counties of eastern Kentucky. Brad has a great deal of experience in the utility industry. Prior to his role at the Chamber, he was the Director of Operations and Director of Revenue Assurance for Southeast Telephone, and he also served as Controller for the Mountain Water District in Pikeville, Kentucky.

Mr. Adam Peachee

Past Chair

Adam Peachee has been a member the Virginia College Fund Executive Committee since August of 2017. Most recently, he served as the Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Betty Jolly Scholarship Committee. Adam has been a financial services professional for over 22 years and has assisted his clients as a Wealth Advisor in the Richmond and Fredericksburg areas for the past 15 years. He has successfully helped individuals and their families, in the areas of estate creation, lending, retirement planning, wealth accumulation, education funding, legacy planning and income structuring. Adam is a lifelong resident of Richmond but has ties to Southwest Virginia, which led to his interest in being a part of The Virginia College Fund’s mission. His passion for helping others achieve their goals through higher education is the driving force behind his commitment to this cause.

Mr. Roy E. Bucher, Jr.
Chairman Emeritus
Lunsford - A Trustpoint Company
Roanoke, Virginia

Benjamin Dessart
Vice President, External Affairs
Universal Leaf
Richmond, Virginia

Brad N. Hall
Vice President External Affairs
Appalachian Power Company
Roanoke, Virginia

Orden L. Harman
Partner
Harman Enterprises Partnership
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Board Member Emeritus

Harold E. Johnson
Attorney
Williams Mullen
Richmond, Virginia

Viren R. Kapadia
President & CEO
Gyrus Systems
Henrico, Virginia

Charles M. Kelley
Vice President, Digital Media
McGuire Woods Consulting
Richmond, Virginia

Ms. Telfon L. Logan
President | Director
Life Abundantly Outreach Ministries
Richmond, VA

Richard W. Loving
Retired Senior Vice President - CAO
BWX Technologies
Lynchburg, Virginia

Frederick V. Martin, Sr.
Retired Portfolio Manager
Sandpiper Capital
Virginia Beach, Virginia

J. Lee E. Osborne
Principal
Woods Rodgers, PLC
Roanoke, Virginia

Adam Peachee
Financial Advisor
Wells Fargo
Richmond, Virginia
Immediate Past Chair

Elizabeth G. Povar, CEcD
Principal Officer
The RiverLink Group
Richmond, Virginia

Mr. Brooks Powell
Area VP, Health & Welfare Consultant
Gallagher Benefit Services
Richmond, VA

John G. Rocovich, Jr., Esquire
Attorney At Law
Moss & Rocovich, P.C.
Roanoke, Virginia

Judith Trumbo
Retired President and CEO
VMRC
Harrisonburg, Virginia

Jeannie P. Baliles
Former First Lady of Virginia
Richmond, Virginia

The Hon. Karen Jackson
Former Virginia Secretary of Technology
New College
Poquoson, Virginia

Our Staff & Executive Committee

President - Vacant

Ms. Liz Povar

Mr. Brad Hall

Mr. Adam Peachee

Dr. Tiffany M. Franks

Dr. Susan Huxman

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