About MBC

Board of Directors

The MBC Board of Directors is an independent board made up of individuals dedicated to MBC’s mission of regional economic development through technology infrastructure. The Board of Directors holds quarterly meetings, and provides governance and policy decisions related to MBC operations.

The following is a list of MBC board members:

Ernest R. (Randy) Lail, Chairman of MBC. Randy is a Director of Benchmark Bankshares, Inc. and the Benchmark Community Bank in Kenbridge, Virginia. Randy is also a Member of the Board of Directors for a few other groups, including Lunenberg Health Services Inc., Lunenburg Charity Fund, Inc. and the Renfro Company.

David Hudgins, Vice-Chairman of MBC. David is the Director of Member and External Relations for the Old Dominion Electric Cooperative located in Glen Allen, Virginia. He works with his 12 electric cooperative members in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware on a variety of legislative, economic development and planning issues.

Duane Dahlquist, PE, is the General Manager for the Blue Ridge Power Agency located in Danville, Virginia. He works with municipal electric companies in various regulatory, engineering and technical issues for municipal electric services.

Ben Davenport, Jr., is the Chairman of the First Piedmont Corporation in Danville, Virginia. As a board member of MBC, Ben brings the vision and support of local business leaders who are focused on revitalizing the economy of Southside Virginia. Ben also sits on the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors and served as the Past Chairman of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

Bryan David is the Executive Director of Region2000 in Lynchburg, Virginia.

The Honorable Frank Ferguson is the Deputy Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Virginia. As a board member of MBC, Frank is available to provide information relative to the relationship between MBC and the Tobacco Commission. His extensive legal and political background will be instrumental in the success of MBC.

Mark D. Heath is the President/CEO of the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation (M-HCEDC). Mark has worked in various city government and economic development positions in the Southside/Southwest region of Virginia since 1992. In 2008, he was named “One of the ten individuals who made a difference” by Southern Business and Development Magazine.

Wanda Bostick Jeffress is the Owner/Vice President of S.L. Jeffress Co., Inc. and the Jeffress Funeral Home in South Boston. She is also an adjunct faculty member of Bluefield College in Bluefield, Virginia. Wanda serves on various boards, including the Averett University Alumni Board, Southern Virginia Higher Education Board of Trustees and the Halifax Education Foundation Board.

Dr. Frank Moore is the Vice President of Information Technology and CIO for Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia. Dr. Moore has a vast knowledge base of technical issues related to broadband and connectivity in the region.

Glen “Skip” Skinner is the Executive Director of the LENOWISCO Planning District Commission in Southwest Virginia. As a board member of MBC, Glen represents the interests of Southwest Virginia and through his involvement with similar fiber optic network projects in Southwest, provides useful information on operational and construction requirements of rural fiber optic networks.

Gary Walker has been the Owner and Operator of the Cornerstone Insurance Agency in Charlotte Court House since 1986. He is very involved in civic organizations in his area. Gary served on the Virginia Tobacco Commission 1999-2005. He is also a past chairman of the Charlotte County Board of Supervisors and is currently a member of their board.