President's Council
Jerry Barker is the Founder/CEO of Novex Innovations, LLC, a contract development and manufacturing company located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, focusing on biologics, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Prior to forming Novex, Jerry was Founder/CEO of Ocular Systems, Inc., the first company to redefine the way to prepare and process human cornea tissue for endothelial keratoplasty.
Jerry holds a B.S. in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry from University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky. He holds a certification as an EBAA Certified Eye Bank Technician and has completed the Leadership Development Program at the Center for Creative Leadership. He was a distinguished finalist for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award and has received numerous awards and recognition in the medical innovation arena. Jerry serves on the North Carolina Biotech Advisory Committee for the Piedmont Triad Region and is a Life Member of Gretna Fire & Rescue, where he is a certified EMT and Firefighter. Jerry is an active member of White Oak Worship Center. In his free time, he spends time with his wife Ashley and works on his cattle farm in Gretna, Virginia.
Jerry holds a B.S. in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry from University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky. He holds a certification as an EBAA Certified Eye Bank Technician and has completed the Leadership Development Program at the Center for Creative Leadership. He was a distinguished finalist for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award and has received numerous awards and recognition in the medical innovation arena. Jerry serves on the North Carolina Biotech Advisory Committee for the Piedmont Triad Region and is a Life Member of Gretna Fire & Rescue, where he is a certified EMT and Firefighter. Jerry is an active member of White Oak Worship Center. In his free time, he spends time with his wife Ashley and works on his cattle farm in Gretna, Virginia.
John Edward “Jeb” Burton is a professional stock car racing driver, competing full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He started his racing career at the South Boston Speedway, where his family is known for competing, as well as at the Ace Speedway and Martinsville Speedway. Jeb has raced in each of NASCAR’s three national series. In his 2021 Xfinity series, Jeb logged seven top-5 finishes, sixteen top-10 finishes, and captured his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series win in the Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway.
Jeb was born in Halifax County, Virginia, where he graduated from Halifax County High School. He is an avid outdoorsman and hunter and is featured regularly on the Sportsman Channel on the program “Crossroads with the Burtons.” Jeb got married in January 2020 to his wife, Brandi.
Jeb was born in Halifax County, Virginia, where he graduated from Halifax County High School. He is an avid outdoorsman and hunter and is featured regularly on the Sportsman Channel on the program “Crossroads with the Burtons.” Jeb got married in January 2020 to his wife, Brandi.
Brandon Divers was born in Richmond, Virginia, and lived in Virginia until he graduated from Virginia Tech. Following college, he went to work for Alsco Uniforms in Salt Lake City as a part of their Management Training Program. He worked in Utah, Colorado, and Louisiana before returning home to Virginia in 2018, all with Alsco Uniforms.
Brandon has been blessed with a wonderful wife, Jennifer, as well as two sons, Shep and Hudson. Brandon enjoys playing golf, attending NASCAR races and spending time with his family.
Brandon has been blessed with a wonderful wife, Jennifer, as well as two sons, Shep and Hudson. Brandon enjoys playing golf, attending NASCAR races and spending time with his family.
Lynnie Doughton is the President and Chief Steward of DRP Performance Products, Inc., an innovative manufacturer of high-performance automotive products to help win races. He’s worked at DRP Performance for more than 30 years and fully surrendered the company to Jesus in 2012. He’s a numbers person who loves well-planned strategy while still being ready to adjust at any moment.
Lynnie has been married to his wife, Jennifer, for 19 years and has two daughters, Piper and Hadley. He loves studying God’s Word and enjoys running marathons and ultra-marathons including the 2018 Boston Marathon. He’s a member of Franklin Heights Baptist Church, of C12 Group, and the Gideons International.
Lynnie has been married to his wife, Jennifer, for 19 years and has two daughters, Piper and Hadley. He loves studying God’s Word and enjoys running marathons and ultra-marathons including the 2018 Boston Marathon. He’s a member of Franklin Heights Baptist Church, of C12 Group, and the Gideons International.
Dennis Harris is the Central Outreach Director for Church of the Highlands with oversight of Highlands Dream Centers, Highlands Disaster Response, and Outreach Resources. He also works under the Association of Related Churches in disaster events to support, resource and network ARC churches for coordinated response. Dennis loves networking churches and partners to be better together. His vision for reaching people is what drives his passion each day to make a difference through strategic and innovative ways to reach people of all walks of life.
His beautiful wife of 34 years, Kris, serves together with him. They have been serving in ministry since the day they met. In their ministry life, they have been Youth Pastors, Pastors, Missionaries, Dream Center Directors and Outreach Trainers. They have two grown kids who love Jesus and their families. In his free time, Dennis enjoys hunting, fishing and building things.
His beautiful wife of 34 years, Kris, serves together with him. They have been serving in ministry since the day they met. In their ministry life, they have been Youth Pastors, Pastors, Missionaries, Dream Center Directors and Outreach Trainers. They have two grown kids who love Jesus and their families. In his free time, Dennis enjoys hunting, fishing and building things.
Andy Moore is the President-CEO of Moore’s Electrical and Mechanical, Inc. He is passionate about leading the organization’s vision, mission and core values by developing its key leaders and providing excellence in commercial, industrial electrical and mechanical services. Moore’s Electrical and Mechanical is a full service electrical, HVAC, and plumbing contractor offering 24/7 service, employs 580+ partners, and operates in four states.
Moore has worked for 24 years with Moore’s and has risen through the company after starting as a HVAC Technician. His most important achievement thus far is the growing company culture of caring, servant leadership, giving back, and ministry. Moore’s spends time and resources daily through internal and external programs, striving to be good stewards of the business they have been entrusted with, as they believe it 100% belongs to God.
Moore has worked for 24 years with Moore’s and has risen through the company after starting as a HVAC Technician. His most important achievement thus far is the growing company culture of caring, servant leadership, giving back, and ministry. Moore’s spends time and resources daily through internal and external programs, striving to be good stewards of the business they have been entrusted with, as they believe it 100% belongs to God.
Tony Nunley has worked at Coca Cola Consolidated for more than 25 years. Three years ago, he was asked to develop and manage the Coca Cola Rapid Response Team and says it’s a blessing to live out his calling of “serving in a time of need.” The team serves teammates and partners in the community, as well as working alongside many organizations with the same passion to serve others.
Tony was born in Roanoke, Virginia, and now lives on a farm in Moneta, Virginia, with his wife of 25 years. He is a Born Again Believer and servant of our Lord Jesus Christ. He and his wife are members of Thomas Road Baptist Church.
Tony was born in Roanoke, Virginia, and now lives on a farm in Moneta, Virginia, with his wife of 25 years. He is a Born Again Believer and servant of our Lord Jesus Christ. He and his wife are members of Thomas Road Baptist Church.
Peyton Sellers is known in the Danville community as an accomplished racecar driver, but he is also the third generation of his family’s grading and excavating business. Peyton has won the 2005 and 2021 national championship of NASCAR’s Weekly racing series. He also won the Southeast Region and Virginia start titles, as well as the track championships at South Boston Speedway and Dominion Raceway.
Peyton started his race career in karting at age 7. By age 13, he was driving open wheel sprint cars, with 11 feature wins in his first 20 races. He competed at South Boston Speedway in Virginia as a rookie in 2002, winning Rookie of the Year in the Late Model Stock Car Division and winning 14 of 16 starts there in 2005. With many racing wins to his credit, Sellers also works alongside his family to grow Sellers Brothers Construction and Sellers Racing. Peyton and his wife, Jennie, have been married since 2012 and live in the Ringgold area. They are active members at HOPE Church in Danville.
Peyton started his race career in karting at age 7. By age 13, he was driving open wheel sprint cars, with 11 feature wins in his first 20 races. He competed at South Boston Speedway in Virginia as a rookie in 2002, winning Rookie of the Year in the Late Model Stock Car Division and winning 14 of 16 starts there in 2005. With many racing wins to his credit, Sellers also works alongside his family to grow Sellers Brothers Construction and Sellers Racing. Peyton and his wife, Jennie, have been married since 2012 and live in the Ringgold area. They are active members at HOPE Church in Danville.
Mike Taylor was first elected as Pittsylvania County Sheriff in 2007, following his work as a deputy, investigator, chief investigator, and lieutenant. Mike is a 1983 graduate from Danville Community College, has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Longwood University, and graduated from the Sorenson’s Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia. He also graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy. In 2017, Mike received the Alice H. Overby Award from Chatham Hall, and, in 2018, he received certification through the Virginia Sheriff’s Institute and Virginia Commonwealth University’s Center of Public Policy for his advancement of public safety as a profession in law enforcement.
Mike is married to his wife Becky. They have two sons and two daughters-in-law, as well as four grandchildren. Mike serves as a member and deacon of Saint Mark Church in Danville. He is also a member of the Kentuck Fire Department, on the board of directors for Boys and Girls Club of Danville and Pittsylvania County, is a member of the Gideons International, and of the Masonic Lodge in Blairs.
Mike is married to his wife Becky. They have two sons and two daughters-in-law, as well as four grandchildren. Mike serves as a member and deacon of Saint Mark Church in Danville. He is also a member of the Kentuck Fire Department, on the board of directors for Boys and Girls Club of Danville and Pittsylvania County, is a member of the Gideons International, and of the Masonic Lodge in Blairs.
Kari Wagner is a journalist, author, and philanthropist. The mother of two attributes her professions to her hometown spirit. She grew up in a small town in Kentucky where people took care of one another to not only survive but thrive. Helping people and storytelling were two key components of her life. Her podcast, Kari The Light, focuses on positive things to brighten your day and light up the world around you. She meets ordinary people doing extraordinary things and discovers how you can change the world.
Since graduating college, Kari has worked in television news across the U.S., traveled the world, and interviewed world leaders. Kari has also lit the capitol of Tennessee pink for Breast Cancer Awareness, organized the Big Hug to spread kindness worldwide, created the America 4 Boston Prayer Canvas to display unity and support after the Boston bombing, and responded to natural disasters in multiple states.
Since graduating college, Kari has worked in television news across the U.S., traveled the world, and interviewed world leaders. Kari has also lit the capitol of Tennessee pink for Breast Cancer Awareness, organized the Big Hug to spread kindness worldwide, created the America 4 Boston Prayer Canvas to display unity and support after the Boston bombing, and responded to natural disasters in multiple states.
Tonja Ward is passionate about serving, producing, and underwriting community outreach events for non-profit organizations, working with faith-based media, and encouraging youth character development through sports and Christian music. She began her current position at praiseLive in 2020, directing strategic partnerships, and working to advance the ministry's growth and expansion locally and globally with the African staff and affiliate stations. Additionally, she hosts the weekend morning show for the praiseLive network of stations in the Midwest and across Africa. Tonja previously served as Director of Promotions and Outreach at KSBJ Radio in Houston, and has helped station leadership with fundraising and marketing at WOW 90.9 in Florida, as well as serving as the midday host. She’s a candidate for the Master's in Digital Media Management degree at the University of Southern California, has a bachelor's degree from Spelman College in Atlanta, and a law degree from the University of Miami School of Law. She’s a longtime youth ministry teacher and worship leader and serves on numerous boards. Tonja and her husband founded the Charlie & Tonja Ward Family Foundation through which she has produced Christian music events, sports camps, and youth character development programs. She was the 2022 recipient of the New York-based Determined to Educate, Inc. Light-Bearer Award. Tonja and her husband, Charlie have been married for 27 years, live in Florida, and are the proud parents of Caleb, 22, Hope, 19, and Joshua who is 13.
