Board of Directors

In alphabetical order:

• Ty Cooper serves on the Board of Directors of First Night Virginia and the Board of Trustees of Play On! Theatre at the Ix. He served as the Director of Publicity for Earth Week Charlottesville’s Eco-Fair at the Pavilion. Ty is the co-owner of the environmental friendly, EcoDry Cleaners.
• Brandi Duncan is a graduate of James Madison University. She is an event planner at the University of Virginia within the Office of Development and Public Affairs. As a past scholarship recipient, Brandi understands the value in assisting people with furthering their education.
• Dan Epstein is founder and owner of Eppie’s Restaurant on the Charlottesville Mall. An entrepreneur, Dan recently founded orderTopia, a new social media application for restaurant and retail businesses.  Dan is a graduate of the Center for NonProfit Excellence’s Board Development Academy.
• Valerie Gregory received her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Hampton University and her M.ED. in Administration and Supervision from UVA. She served as Principal of Columbia and Fork Union Elementary Schools in Fluvanna County before becoming Principal of Clark Elementary School in Charlottesville. Valerie is now UVA’s Associate Dean of Undergraduate Admissions and Director of Outreach.
• Mary Jane King is director of institutional advancement and development at Piedmont Virginia Community College and has represented PVCC on the CCSP Board since its founding. Mary Jane believes education is the key to life fulfillment and economic health for individuals and the community.
• Russ Linden is a management educator who specializes in organizational change, collaboration, strategic thinking/planning, and customer-focused organizations with a focus on government and nonprofit organizations. Russ is a founding member of CCSP and a firm believer in the power of education.
• Dennis Mockler has a degree in Radio/TV/Film and marketing. He was accredited as a Certified Radio Marketing Consultant by the Radio Advertising Bureau and was named one of the Top Ten Radio Market Managers in the country by Radio Ink magazine in 2004.  He served as Vice President/General Manager of Monticello Media. Dennis currently serves on the Government Affairs Committee of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce and is on the board of the Central Virginia American Red Cross.
• Linda Seaman is a long time resident of Charlottesville. She graduated from Russell Sage College with a dual major in education and government. She served as Chairman of the Charlottesville School Board and the Charlottesville Albemarle Technical Education Center, and served as Executive Director of the Charlottesville Area School Business Alliance. Linda believes that providing educational opportunities for lower income students improves their lives, their families, and the community.
• William (Scotty) Scott graduated from the University of Virginia and from the George Mason University School of Law. Scotty has been with MichieHamlett since January 1996, and became a member of the firm in 2002. He previously served as Law Clerk to the Circuit Court of the City of Norfolk, Virginia. He is a past chairman of the Family Law Section of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and a current member of the Board of Governors of the Family Law Section of the Virginia State Bar.
• Kristin Szakos graduated from Grinnell College and earned a Master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University. Kristin is a writer and freelance editor, and has co-written two books on community organizing. She has served as grant writer and administrator for several local nonprofits, including Children, Youth & Family Services, Congregation Beth Israel, and Camp Holiday Trails, and is currently serving on the Charlottesville City Council.
• Julian Taliaferro has been a resident of Charlottesville since 1962 when he began his career with the Charlottesville Fire Department. Julian served as Fire Chief for almost 34 years and was elected to the Charlottesville City Council in 2006 and was selected to be Vice Mayor in 2008.
• Roxanne White is retired from her position as the Albemarle County Assistant County Executive for General Operations and Human Services and has over 30 years of public sector and non-profit experience in community collaboration. Roxanne feels that “we all need to help our community in some way and this is a wonderful opportunity to give someone just that just that little bit of help they need to be able to further their education and/or improve their workforce skills”.
• Gail Hyder Wiley has lived in Charlottesville since 1983.   She is a freelance editor and proofreader working with private businesses and state agencies, including the University, while raising two sons, both graduates of Charlottesville High School.  Gail has volunteered generously with her time in Charlottesville Public Schools, the Boy Scouts, in her neighborhood and church.  Gail believes that CCSP Scholarships send students the message: “Your community believes in you.”