Meet Our STAFF
DAVID PERRY, Executive Director
Dave, a Blacksburg native, has been with the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy since 2006, when he was hired as the land trust’s project manager. He became assistant director in 2011 and executive director in 2012. Dave is chairman of the City of Roanoke’s Mill Mountain Advisory Board and a member of the Roanoke Kiwanis Club.
Dave has a master’s degree in park and resource management from Slippery Rock University and a bachelor’s degree in geography from James Madison University. Prior to coming to the land trust, he was employed with the Wicomico County Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism in Salisbury, MD and as a district executive with the East Carolina Council of the Boy Scouts of America in Kinston, NC. He, his wife and two sons live in southwest Roanoke.
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Dave, a Blacksburg native, has been with the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy since 2006, when he was hired as the land trust’s project manager. He became assistant director in 2011 and executive director in 2012. Dave is chairman of the City of Roanoke’s Mill Mountain Advisory Board and a member of the Roanoke Kiwanis Club.
Dave has a master’s degree in park and resource management from Slippery Rock University and a bachelor’s degree in geography from James Madison University. Prior to coming to the land trust, he was employed with the Wicomico County Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism in Salisbury, MD and as a district executive with the East Carolina Council of the Boy Scouts of America in Kinston, NC. He, his wife and two sons live in southwest Roanoke.
Email Dave
EMILY BENDER, Assistant Director
Emily's career in land conservation started in January 2018 when she graduated from Bridgewater College with a degree in Environmental Science and joined the staff at Valley Conservation Council. She has served as the Assistant Director at BRLC since December 2021.
Growing up in Roanoke and spending summers attending and eventually working at Camp Bethel (Fincastle, VA) shaped her love of the outdoors and determined her educational path. She also enjoyed exploring and learning about the landscapes of Australia during a semester abroad, in Richmond, NSW.
In her free time, Emily can be found taking care of her large house plant collection or hiking. She also enjoys participating in game nights with her close friends and husband, Jeremy. Emily and Jeremy currently live in Roanoke with their two pet rabbits.
Email Emily
Emily's career in land conservation started in January 2018 when she graduated from Bridgewater College with a degree in Environmental Science and joined the staff at Valley Conservation Council. She has served as the Assistant Director at BRLC since December 2021.
Growing up in Roanoke and spending summers attending and eventually working at Camp Bethel (Fincastle, VA) shaped her love of the outdoors and determined her educational path. She also enjoyed exploring and learning about the landscapes of Australia during a semester abroad, in Richmond, NSW.
In her free time, Emily can be found taking care of her large house plant collection or hiking. She also enjoys participating in game nights with her close friends and husband, Jeremy. Emily and Jeremy currently live in Roanoke with their two pet rabbits.
Email Emily
TINA BADGER, Project Manager
Tina, a Virginia native, came to Blue Ridge Land Conservancy in 2017 as office manager and currently works as project manager. Tina has a bachelor’s degree in Religion and Classical Studies from Hollins University. She currently lives in Montgomery County where she raises dairy goats and chickens with her husband.
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Tina, a Virginia native, came to Blue Ridge Land Conservancy in 2017 as office manager and currently works as project manager. Tina has a bachelor’s degree in Religion and Classical Studies from Hollins University. She currently lives in Montgomery County where she raises dairy goats and chickens with her husband.
Email Tina
KACIE SHIFFLETT, Stewardship Specialist
Kacie, a Rockbridge Co., Virginia native, is the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy’s newest staff as Land Stewardship Specialist. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Hollins University and recently completed her thru hike of the Appalachian Trail. Kacie has always had a deep passion for the outdoors and enjoys hiking, hunting, fishing, and paddle boarding. She is looking forward to expanding her education in land conservation, getting to know our land owners, and helping protect and save land here in the Blue Ridge. In Kacie’s free time she enjoys doing some form of outdoor recreation, reading, or hanging out with her family and friends. She currently lives in Roanoke, Virginia with her boyfriend and their dog and cat.
Email Kacie
Kacie, a Rockbridge Co., Virginia native, is the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy’s newest staff as Land Stewardship Specialist. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Hollins University and recently completed her thru hike of the Appalachian Trail. Kacie has always had a deep passion for the outdoors and enjoys hiking, hunting, fishing, and paddle boarding. She is looking forward to expanding her education in land conservation, getting to know our land owners, and helping protect and save land here in the Blue Ridge. In Kacie’s free time she enjoys doing some form of outdoor recreation, reading, or hanging out with her family and friends. She currently lives in Roanoke, Virginia with her boyfriend and their dog and cat.
Email Kacie
Meet Our Board of Trustees
Hover over image for name.
Click on image for bio.
Click on image for bio.
Advisory Council
Helen A. Burnett
Ruth T. Dickerson
Broaddus C. Fitzpatrick
William Hunley
Lowell F. Inhorn, MD
Janet Scheid
Fiona M. Tower
Ruth T. Dickerson
Broaddus C. Fitzpatrick
William Hunley
Lowell F. Inhorn, MD
Janet Scheid
Fiona M. Tower
