Community Board
Our organization came together in November 2022 in response to the threat of a problematic rezoning application in Criglersville. That experience illuminated the need for our community to be able to organize efforts identifying and addressing issues of interest and concern to our residents. Our founding board represents the initial citizens who have volunteered their time to help shape our organization and build it into a resource for the future.
Samantha Guerry, Chair
Vice President, Rag Mountain Estates Owners Association in Syria. Entrepreneur with 30 years of experience in non-profit and corporate development, management, and communications, including extensive background in workforce development and eduction.
Laura Smoot, Vice Chair
Owner of Double Top Farm, Criglersville; Property Management Agent, VDOT. Resident of Criglersville.
Ellen Early
Administrative Manager for Culpeper Farmer's Coop; taught at Waverly Yowell in Madison; family has served as custodians of Shiloh Cemetery. 25 years of budget and finance experience with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C.; Resident of Criglersville
Douglas Dear
Owner and operator of Rose River Farm in Syria with over 35 years of commercial real estate experience in financing, developing and investing in hospitality properties, multifamily, retail and raw land. Founding Chairman for 10 years and currently Chairman Emeritus of Project Healing Waters, a multimillion dollar 501(c)3 serving injured Veterans coast to coast. Served five years on the Virginia Fish and Game Board including a term as Chairman. Resident of Syria.
Connie Knighting
Head of Housekeeping, Graves Mountain Lodge; Resident of Syria with deep roots in Madison.
Peter Maillet
Professor of Commerce, UVA. Prior to academia, 20 years of large-project financing experience in a wide range of industries, including real estate. Resident of Criglersville.
Eric Von Stark
Principal, Graves Mountain Lodge; Principal, Panetiere Revenue Generation and Hospitality Partners; investor and expert in property development.
Renee Balfour
Owner, Possom’s Store, Criglersville. Professional Artist, Art Teacher; Founder of Community Art Works; Founder of Art With Heart, a fundraising art program for UVA Children's Hospital; established arts program developer; Past President of McGuffey Art Center, Charlottesville; Chair of educational development and community outreach at McGuffey Art Center.
Mark Corneal
Senior Project Manager at Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, District of Columbia; 35+ years in real estate investing and development with specialty in community development projects; Property owner, Syria.
Debi Flynn
President of Quaker Run Farms, LLC. in Madison for past 22 years. Air transport pilot for 40 years; 31 years with Federal Express; Captain on international flights for 15 years; Resident of Criglersville.