Board of Directors
William Hamilton, President
Director of Economic Development, City of Staunton
Margaret Ragon, Treasurer
Commissioner of Revenue, City of Staunton
Erik Curren, PhD, Secretary
Managing Partner, Curren Media Group
Hugh Westfall, Loan Review Committee Chairman
Retired business manager
Wanda Stevens
Executive Director, Staunton Redevelopment and Housing Authority
Bill Frazier
Principal, Frazier Associates
Kathleen Stinehart
Cranberry’s Grocery and Eatery
Staff
Meghan Williamson, Executive Director
Prior to joining the Staunton Fund, Meghan served as the Director of Economic Development for the City of Waynesboro, where she led the City’s effort to attract new companies, encourage the expansion of existing industries, promote retail development, and downtown revitalization. She has a strong track record collaborating with both small start-up businesses as well as larger manufacturers and commercial developers. Meghan was instrumental in securing the Enterprise Zone designations for both the City of Staunton and the City of Waynesboro and continues to advise businesses on maximizing their resources through financing options and available state and local incentive programs. She has worked as a researcher and policy analyst for the Urban Institute, a Washington, D.C. based think-tank, and with numerous organizations along the I-81 corridor including the Blue Ridge Business Journal, the Southwestern Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank, the Artisans Center of Virginia, and the Shenandoah Valley Partnership.
Joelle Hackney, Program Coordinator
Joelle received her master’s degree in community and international development and peacebuilding from Eastern Mennonite University’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding in 2010. She holds a bachelor’s degree from EMU in sociology and agriculture. A native of the Shenandoah Valley, Joelle worked with the Headwaters Soil and Water Conservation District as a field Conservation Technician planning and implementing agricultural and residential projects to protect local soil and water quality. She has also spent time as a volunteer community organizer and researcher in the West Virginia coalfields promoting sustainable economic development and safe and healthy communities.
Justin Van Kleeck, Director of Training and Education
Justin Van Kleeck, a lifelong Virginia native, is also currently the Assistant Manager at the Harrisonburg Farmers Market where he works with over 70 farmers and small business owners in the local foods economy. Justin received his PhD in English from the University of Virginia and previously served as an Editor at Rosetta Stone. He also has experience as a freelance writer on a variety of sustainability issues and worked as both a professor and tutor at the college level. You may have spotted him around the community teaching web and technology seminars for farmers, organizing Earth Week discussion, or presenting at Harrisonburg’s annual Green Expo. He enjoys reading, yoga, gardening, and getting out in the woods with his rescued pit bull, Iris, whenever possible.
