The Shenandoah Valley Partnership recently welcomed five new board members at the start of the fiscal year on July 1, 2023. The Board guides the organization in fulfilling its mission to facilitate regional and local economic development efforts through and in support of member jurisdictions, private partners and strategic alliances.
New board members include:
Lisa Botkin: Ms. Botkin was promoted to the role of Executive Director of Shenandoah Regional Airport in May 2022. She had served as the Interim Executive Director since February 2022 when long-time Executive Director, Greg Campbell, was appointed as the Director of the Virginia Department of Aviation. Ms. Botkin is a James Madison University graduate with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration/Accounting. Prior to joining the Airport, she spent 15 years at a private accounting firm. In 1999 she was hired to serve as SHD’s Manager of Accounting and continued to advance within the organization becoming the Director of Finance and Administration in 2005, and then Deputy Director in 2018.
Lucas Cade: Mr. Cade began working in his current position as Economic Development Manager for the Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) in October 2022 and is developing a broad-based economic development program. Lucas retired in the Fall of 2022 after a 32+ year career with Allegheny Power/FirstEnergy, mostly working regional economic development for those electric utilities. He also worked in the regulatory environment with various State Commissions as well as managed commercial and industrial Energy Efficiency programs for the states of Maryland and West Virginia. A native of Marietta, GA, he obtained a BS in History and Education from Troy State University and a MS in Economic Development from the University of Southern Mississippi. Lucas is married and has four grown children and one grandson.
Chris Ellis: Mr. Ellis has had an extensive banking career, including 20+ years with BB&T, now Truist. He currently works in Middle Market Banking but has also held positions as City Executive & Vice President and Market President & Commercial Team Leader, receiving the Truist Top Performance Award and Sterling Performer Recognition. Mr. Ellis graduated from Shepherd University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. He also notes “Cage Diving with Great White Sharks” as part of his education.
Mary Mannix: Ms. Mannix, FACHE, is president and CEO of Augusta Health. Augusta Health is a 255- bed, independent, community-owned health system that opened in 1994 in Fishersville. CEO since 2008, Ms. Mannix has partnered with the community-based board of directors, management, medical staff and employee workforce to enhance the commitment of the hospital’s not-for-profit mission to promote the health and well-being of the community through access to excellent care. Ms. Mannix earned her B.S. in nursing, as well as graduate degrees in nursing and business administration, from Binghamton University and completed a two-year post graduate fellowship in health care administration at the Guthrie Clinic located in Sayre, PA.
Chris Weaver: Mr. Weaver was named President and CEO of Lantz Construction Company in 2015. Previous positions at Lantz included Chief Administrative Officer and Executive Vice President & Director of Preconstruction Services. Prior to joining Team Lantz in 2008, Chris specialized in aviation consulting and real estate development. He is a graduate of James Madison University and Washington & Lee University School of Law, and is an associate member of the Virginia Bar. Mr. Weaver is very involved with the community having held numerous positions within various local government committees, chambers of commerce, builders’ associations, and economic development entities over the years.