Board of Directors
-
Donna McRae-Jones
Board President
Retired- Allstate Insurance
"Helping people with the desire to help themselves and witnessing joy on the family faces as they celebrate their new home." -
Gary Elder
Board Vice-President
Elder and Watkins, PC
"As an attorney who routinely deals with matters involving real estate and estate planning, I know first-hand the value of home ownership. I am proud to support Habitat's mission of lending a helping hand to those families who are willing to put in the time and effort to better both their own lives and the lives of future generations." -
Cheryl Gee
Board Treasurer
Benchmark Community Bank
“Habitat is here for everyone. Safe, affordable housing should be available for anyone in need and Habitat makes that possible. That is why I am involved.” -
Cheryl Steele
Board Secretary
Longwood University -
Lisa Gallimore
Woodforest National Bank
-
Sasha Johnson
Longwood University
-
Fred McGee
Retired- Meriter Health Services
-
John Miller
Longwood University
-
Pauline Stokes
Retired- Virginia Cooperative Extension
"I am involved with Habitat because all people should have a secure home, and a quiet resting place." -
Dan Weese
Hampden-Sydney College
-
Sheri Almond
Cumberland County Public Schools
Staff
-
Jayne Johnson
Jayne Johnson has served as the Executive Director of the Farmville Area Habitat for Humanity since 2004. Since then, the local Habitat has more than doubled the number of Habitat homes built each year, implemented homeownership education training for all Habitat partner families, opened a successful Habitat ReStore, and initiated critical strategic partnerships. In addition, Jayne has served as a member of Habitat for Humanity International’s US Council, Affiliate Enhancement Committee. Jayne has been an active member of Habitat for Humanity Virginia, most recently serving as Treasurer of the Habitat for Humanity Virginia Board of Directors, and previously serving as Secretary and VP over her many years of HFHVA board service.
Before signing on with Habitat for Humanity, Jayne’s professional career was in public relations and public affairs consulting. She holds a B.S. degree in Social Sciences and Humanities from Lewis Clark State College and has completed graduate courses in education at the University of Idaho and has earned a Certificate in Fundraising from The Fundraising School at the Lily Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University.
-
Dennis Burley
Dennis joined the Habitat team in April of 2019. He brings a vast experience of construction knowledge and volunteer coordination. Most recently, Dennis was the Home Repair Coordinator/Safety Officer for the Appalachia Service Project for seven years. That organization works on over 400 homes a year with the aid of over 11,000 volunteers in order to serve low-income families in need of housing solutions in the central Appalachia region. As a licensed general contractor, Dennis previously operated his own construction business for fifteen years. Prior to that, he contracted as a Construction Analyst/Inspector with the Planning Department of Laramie County, Wyoming. Dennis also served as the senior pastor of a church in Thermopolis, Wyoming for six years.
Dennis holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/History from Montana State University-Northern and a Master of Arts in Biblical Literature from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. He also holds a variety of construction related certifications. -
Director of Resource Development and Marketing
sam@piedmonthabitat.org
434-394-3001 ext. 200Sam Rabon
Prior to coming to Habitat, Sam was the Children's and Youth Pastor at Heritage Baptist Church in Farmville for 9 years, during which time he developed a strong relationship with Habitat. Sam felt led by God to step down from the ministry to serve the community in a different way. In his new position, he looks forward to hearing and sharing the stories of partner families and learning how their life is being positively impacted. Sam says his goal is to "love God and love my neighbor in whatever way I can." His vision at Habitat is to help connect more people so Habitat can build more in order to serve more.
Sam has a B.A. in Sociology from Furman University in Greenville, SC and a Masters of Divinity in Student Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. He is also the pastor of Faith Bible Fellowship in Farmville.
-
Mary Shepherd
Mary grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia before coming to Longwood University in Farmville, where she received her B.A. in Liberal Studies with a Concentration in Children's Literature. She comes with a wealth of community engagement across a variety of sectors: Resident Assistant while at Longwood where she helped students navigate campus life, teacher at Fuqua Lower School, leading children's and youth ministry in the local church, and associate at the fast-paced customer-oriented Enterprise Rentals. Speaking to her excitement for her new role, "It is an honor to work in a Christian organization where I can be the hands and feet of Christ in such practical ways."
-
Dan Dwyer
Dan Dwyer joined the Piedmont Habitat team in November 2019. Dan grew up in Farmville and graduated from James Madison University earning a B.S. in Economics. After a lengthy career managing Farmville Printing, he worked at Centra Southside Community Hospital as Special Projects Administrator before coming to Habitat. He was elected to Farmville Town Council as a Councilman-at-Large in 2014 and chairs the Town Property committee. Dan has been a member of the Farmville Rotary Club since 1984 and is currently serving on the Southside YMCA Board of Directors.
-
Russell Dove
Russell Dove joined the staff of Piedmont Habitat in early 2020 in the role of Community Outreach. His position specifically involves organizing Piedmont Habitat’s goal to expand full services into Nottoway County and to further the work in Nelson County. He has a long and outstanding record of service in the local community, having served with the Longwood Police and most recently as the Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police for Central Virginia Community College. In addition, he served as both a Board Member and Chair of the Prince Edward County Public School Board for more than a decade. During his time of School Board service and his prior public service through law enforcement and volunteer emergency medical services, he has earned a long list of accolades for outstanding performance and meritorious service. His education includes a BS in Sociology from Longwood University, among other degrees and certificates. Russel has also been a member of the Rotary Club of Farmville since 2004.