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.
Email Dave
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 joined Valley Conservation Council as an intern. She joined the VCC team full time in May of 2018, most recently working as the Director of Land Protection. Emily looks forward to continuing to grow and expand on her experiences in this new role, and to get to know the landowners in Southwest Virginia.
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. She graduated from Bridgewater College in 2018 with a degree in Environmental Science.
In her free time Emily can be found taking care of and adding to her large house plant collection. She also enjoys participating in game nights with her close friends and husband, Jeremy. Emily and Jeremy currently live in Staunton with their two pet rabbits. They are planning to relocate to Roanoke in the near future and are looking forward to exploring the Roanoke Valley together.
Email Emily
Emily's career in land conservation started in January 2018 when she joined Valley Conservation Council as an intern. She joined the VCC team full time in May of 2018, most recently working as the Director of Land Protection. Emily looks forward to continuing to grow and expand on her experiences in this new role, and to get to know the landowners in Southwest Virginia.
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. She graduated from Bridgewater College in 2018 with a degree in Environmental Science.
In her free time Emily can be found taking care of and adding to her large house plant collection. She also enjoys participating in game nights with her close friends and husband, Jeremy. Emily and Jeremy currently live in Staunton with their two pet rabbits. They are planning to relocate to Roanoke in the near future and are looking forward to exploring the Roanoke Valley together.
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.
Email Tina
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
MEREDITH KEPPEL, Stewardship Manager
Born and raised in Northern Virginia, Meredith Keppel first fell in love with the mountains of Roanoke while attending Hollins University. Now in her senior year studying Environmental and Sustainability Studies with a concentration in Economics and Policy at George Mason University, Meredith is beyond thrilled to be able to be back in the Blue Ridge and working with BRLC. Her most recent position was with the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District where she applied her passion for sustainability to education and outreach. Email Meredith
Meet Our Board of Trustees
Hover over image for name.
Click on image for bio.
Click on image for bio.
Advisory Council
M. Rupert Cutler
Lucy R. Ellett
Liza T. Field
Talfourd H. Kemper
Robert B. Lambeth, Jr.
Janet Scheid
Lucy R. Ellett
Liza T. Field
Talfourd H. Kemper
Robert B. Lambeth, Jr.
Janet Scheid
