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Danville Preservation Summit Speakers

• Donovan Rypkema, the leading expert on the economics of preservation.

  Mr. Rypkema is principal of PlaceEconomics, a Washington D.C.-based real estate and economic development consulting firm.  The firm specializes in services to public and non-profit sector clients who are dealing with downtown and neighborhood commercial district revitalization and the reuse of historic structures.

  In 2004, Mr. Rypkema established Heritage Strategies International, a new firm created to provide similar services to firms worldwide.

  Today Mr. Rypkema is recognized as an industry leader in the economics of preserving historic structures.  Since 1983 he has provided ongoing consulting services to the National Trust for Historic Preservation and its National Main Street Center.  He has undertaken assignments in 49 states and the District of Columbia. To learn more, please visit PlaceEconomics.

• Lacy King, Mayor, City of Staunton, Virginia

  Mr. King has served on Staunton’s City Council since 2002.  He is serving in his second term as Mayor.  Staunton is a model of a small city that has used historic preservation as a vital segment of its economic development plans.  The city has been recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of its annual “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” and a “Great American Main Street Community.” These awards are given to communities that offer an authentic visitor experience by combining dynamic downtowns, cultural diversity, attractive architecture, cultural landscapes and a strong commitment to historic preservation and revitalization.  To learn more, please see www.staunton.va.us and VisitStaunton.com.

• Bill Hamilton, Economic Development Director, City of Staunton, Virginia

  Mr. Hamilton has been Staunton’s Economic Development Director since 1988. Since his arrival, the City has developed its first industrial park, the Green Hills Industry & Technology Center and encouraged retail development at key locations throughout the City.  But this growth has embraced and maintained the Historic integrity that has put Staunton on the map.  Most recently he helped the City of Staunton redevelop the Stonewall Jackson Hotel & Conference Center and transfer the former Staunton Correctional Center to a private developer for adaptive reuse.

• Sandra Tanner, Virginia Tourism Corporation, Tourism Development Specialist – Southside Virginia

  Sandra Tanner has worked for Virginia Tourism Corporation for the past 21 years. As a resident of La Crosse, Virginia, a former member of their Town Council and current Trustee for Mecklenburg County Public Schools, Sandra has a special interest in promoting rural and small communities, safe routes to school, and accessibility travel in Southside Virginia.

  She works closely with many Southside Virginia Communities and serves various roles in many volunteer organizations.  She is currently President of Roanoke River Rails to Trails, Inc and on the Board for Bike Walk VA.

• David Herring, Interim Director, A.C.O.R.N.

  Mr. Herring is one of the co-founders of A.C.O.R.N.  He formerly served as the organization’s Director of Properties and Programs.  A.C.O.R.N. – The Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods is a non-profit organization created in 1999.  Its mission is the revitalization of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. A.C.O.R.N. achieves this by promoting – to individuals of all income levels – the purchase and renovation of vacant and abandoned properties and advocates for the preservation of the cultural and historic assets that give these old neighborhoods their unique character.  A.C.O.R.N. serves as a clearinghouse for information on how to acquire, finance, and/or renovate a property.  To learn more visit www.richmondneighborhoods.org.