President's Council

Founder & CEO, Novex Innovations LLC

Jerry Barker

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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.
Driver, NASCAR Xfinity Series

Jeb Burton

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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.
General Manager, Alsco Inc.

Brandon Divers

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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.
President, DRP Performance Products Inc

James "Lynnie" Doughton

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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.
Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers

Trey Edmunds

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Trey Edmunds (Ferrell Edmunds III) grew up in the Danville area. He played football at Dan River High School, starting both ways as a running back and a linebacker, rushing for a career 2596 yards and 33 touchdowns. On defense, he recorded 143 tackles, two sacks, and four interceptions (two returned for touchdowns.) Trey also starred in track, winning the 200-meter dash state title, and in basketball, scoring more than 1000 career points for his team. Trey was a four-star recruit and decided to play football at Virginia Tech University. There, in the 2013 season, Trey had 675 rushing yards and ten rushing touchdowns, with 17 receptions for 155 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. He also played football for Maryland.
Trey first signed with the New Orleans Saints, recording his first career NFL touchdown against the Buffalo Bills. In 2018, Trey was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where his brother Terrell plays. He appeared in four games and contributed on special teams. In 2019, in week 10 against the LA Rams, Trey recorded an interception. He’s the first NFL player since 1988 to play running back in a game and register an interception.
Trey got married on March 12, 2022, in Miami. He is a part of a football family. His brother, Terrell, plays for the Steelers and Tremaine plays for the Bills. Their father, Ferrell, was a two-time Pro Bowler.
Trey’s mom, Felecia, always encouraged her sons to read. The brothers recently wrote a children’s book, “My Brother’s Keeper What This Means To Me.” Felecia and the family run My Brother’s Keeper Foundation and the E-Boyz Academy for Higher Learning and Enrichment in Danville.
Central Outreach Director, Church of the Highlands

Dennis Harris

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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.
Founder, Danville Church-Based Tutorial Program; Former New York Jets Player

Kenny Lewis

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Kenny Lewis was born and raised in Danville, Virginia. After graduating from George Washington High School in 1976, he earned an athletic scholarship to play football at Virginia Tech. Kenny was inducted into the Virginia Tech Hall of Fame in football and track. After graduating from Tech, he was drafted by the National Football League and played for the New York Jets for four years. After retiring from the NFL, Kenny moved back to Danville and was employed by the Danville Public Schools for 30 years, as a teacher, coach, Principal, and Central Office Administrator.
Kenny retired from Danville Public Schools in 2014 and continues to work with local community non-profits. He has founded the Danville Boys and Girls Clubs, the Danville Church-Based Tutorial Program, and the Better Together faith-based non-profit. He has been married to his lovely wife Theresa for 34 years and they have two children, Kenny Junior and Lauren.
President, Moore's Electrical and Mechanical

Andy Moore

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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.
Response Manager, Coca Cola Consolidated

Tony Nunley

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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.
Vice President, Business Operations, Martinsville Speedway

Karen Parker

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Karen Parker has worked at the Martinsville Speedway for nearly 30 years and serves as the Director of Marketing. She has a tradition of community involvement, serving on the Martinsville and Henry County Chamber of Commerce Board and as chairman in 2015-2016. Additionally, her work for the community includes serving on the board of directors of the Patrick Henry Community College Foundation, the board of directors for the Grace Network, and the treasurer for Rich Acres Elementary School.
Karen has two beautiful daughters.
Council-member, City of Danville

Sherman Saunders

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Sherman Saunders was born on a farm in Ringgold, Virginia. He saw Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1963 which had a profound impact on his life. Sherman served three years in the Army and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant. He attended Danville Community College, Winston-Salem University, and Averett University. Sherman came home to Danville to work at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company but decided to leave the private sector and pursue a career working for the community. He began working at Pittsylvania County Community Action, Inc. and rose through the organization, eventually serving as President and then as Membership Chairman of National Community Action Agencies (serving all 50 states). Sherman served on the Board of Directors for the Danville Chamber of Commerce, the Danville Pittsylvania United Way, and as a member of the City Council.
Sherman became Danville Mayor in 2008 and served until 2016. He has received many gubernatorial appointments including the Governor’s Manpower Planning Council and Virginia Block Grants Commission. An apartment complex in Danville has been named for him, Sherman M. Saunders Court. He is married to his wife, Sandy.
NASCAR Driver; GM, Sellers Brothers, Inc

Peyton Sellers

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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.
Sheriff, Pittsylvania County

Mike Taylor

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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.
Host of 'Kari The Light,' Journalist, Author, Philanthropist

Kari Wagner

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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.
Journalist/Development Director

Lindsey Ward

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There is never a dull moment for former WSLS Anchor/Reporter Lindsey Ward. Lindsey graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism. She began her career as a tape editor at NBC 12 in Richmond and worked on the assignment desk. She then moved to Charlottesville to begin reporting at CBS19 / ABC16/ FOX27 where she also worked as a photographer, producer, and anchor. During that time, Lindsey served as the Arena Host for the University of Virginia Women’s Basketball. Lindsey moved to Roanoke in 2008 and worked at WSLS as an Anchor/Reporter through March 2022. Lindsey now serves as Director of Development at Blue Ridge Women’s Center in Roanoke. She is married to her husband, Sherman, and loves being a mom to their beautiful baby girl.
PraiseLive Host, Marketing & Strategic Partnerships Director, Philanthropist

Tonja H. Ward

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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.

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