The Shadow
The Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism has announced the addition of new board members Garland Humphries, Jason Helmintoller, Lisa Hicks and Jonathan Arritt.
Garland Humphries
“I have been blessed to be a part of Highlands Realty since 2000,” said Humphries. “I also feel blessed to be a part of the Alleghany Highlands community. It occurred to me that whether I am a realtor, an equipment salesman, a biscuit maker or a grocery clerk, it’s not about what you do — it’s about the people you serve and the time your lives intersect.
“We have a beautiful place to live here in the Alleghany Highlands, but the people you meet will remind you of family,” Humphries added. “I look forward to being a part of the chamber board and promoting the Alleghany Highlands as a wonderful place to visit and live.”
Jason Helmintoller
Jason is a 1997 graduate of Alleghany High School, a 1999 graduate of Dabney S. Lancaster Community College and a 2002 graduate of James Madison University.
He moved back to the Alleghany Highlands upon graduation and worked for one semester as a teacher’s aide at Alleghany High School before accepting a position with Alcova Mortgage in January of 2003.
Helmintoller is currently a regional branch partner with Alcova Mortgage and has branches in Covington, Daleville, Lexington, Luray and Lewisburg, W.Va.
Helmintoller has also volunteered as a basketball coach with Alleghany High School in the past and currently serves as AHS Mountaineer Athletic Club president.
He is also a member of Selma Epworth United Methodist Church in Selma and resides in the Sharon area of Alleghany County with his wife Deanne, their son Shawn and dogs Rocco and London.
“I am excited to be part of the chamber board to further get the secret out that the Alleghany Highlands is a great place to live, raise a family, open a business, visit, explore and enjoy the beauty of all it has to offer,” said Helmintoller.
Lisa Hicks
Hicks is a native of West Virginia, but has called the Alleghany Highlands her home for the last 25 years.
She has been the director of the Alleghany Highlands Regional Library for the past 15 years. Prior to joining the library, Lisa was the library media specialist at Boiling Spring Elementary?School.
Hicks is a graduate of Concord College and holds a master of science in information science from the University of Tennessee.
She currently serves as the chairperson of the Alleghany Highlands Community Services Board.
Hicks also serves on the Alleghany Highlands YMCA Early Learning Program Committee, the Alleghany Highlands Early Learning Partnership (AHELP), the Covington City Schools Parent Advisory Committee, and volunteers her time with her daughter’s local Girl Scout troop.
Hicks resides in Covington with her husband, Alan and children, Ella and Owen.
“I look forward to serving on the chamber board and contributing to the efforts to promote the Alleghany Highlands,” Hicks said.
Jonathan Arritt
Jonathan M. Arritt is a life-long resident of the Alleghany Highlands and resides in Covington with his wife Mandy and their two children, Landon and Eva.
Arritt is a graduate of Covington High School and Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service. He has been a licensed funeral director in Virginia since 2006.
He has served his profession as a past president of the Blue Ridge Funeral Directors Association as well as his community through coaching youth baseball.
“I’m excited to serve on the chamber board,”?Arritt said. “I hope to do at least a small part in promoting our area and the many opportunities it provides.”
Humphries, Helmintoller, Hicks and Arritt succeed Schuyler Fury, Nicole Groseclose, Brittany Jackson and Jennifer Unroe, who rotated off the board.
The 2019 Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Board of Directors includes Lori Barbour, president; Rachael Thompson, past president; Erin Harrison, president-elect; Glenn Spangler, vice president; and Gary Whitehead, treasurer.
Other members include Ingrid Barber, Kristen Garten, Kara Caldwell, Erin Huffman, John Stone, Steve Bennett, Dave Oeltjen and David Crosier.
Ex-officio members include Darlene Burcham, Richard Douglas, Jon Lanford, Charles Unroe, Cindy Bryant, Marla Akridge and Tom Sibold.
The chamber staff includes Teresa Hammond, executive director; Pam Warren, office manager; Josh Taylor, special projects and marketing; Angie Moncrief and Calvin McClinton, customer service.
