BAF Welcomes New Board Members

BAF's New Board Members: Rick Lay and Robert Doug Smith

Beckley Area Foundation is governed by a 15-member board of directors, each serving a three-year term. Members can serve no more than two consecutive terms. Over the past 38 years, a total of 103 Raleigh County residents have served on the BAF board and generously given their time and talents to support the day-to-day operations of our community foundation.

“While membership is certainly an honor, this is a working board; the success of our organization depends upon time-consuming efforts of these volunteers. They work without expectation of personal recognition or reward.”
— Dena Cushman | Executive Director, Beckley Area Foundation

Rick Lay and Robert Doug Smith were elected to fill the vacancies created when Kevin Heath Bailey and Ray Morton rotated off the board.

Rick moved to Raleigh County in 2013 with his wife while searching for an area to retire. He attended Virginia Tech graduating with a B.S. in Computer Science. Prior to retirement, he was the IT Manager at Marathon Petroleum Company. Rick is currently a member and volunteer for Carpenter's Corner, he serves on the board of directors for the WV Woodturners Association, and he also serves on the board of directors for the Glade Springs Village POA. Rick and his wife Stoya currently reside in Daniels. They have a son, Chris, and two grandchildren Caleb & Liam.

Doug grew up in Southwestern Pennsylvania and graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration from Waynesburg University in 1978. He worked for three years at a regional CPA firm in Wheeling, WV and moved to Beckley, WV in 1981. He was a partner in a large local CPA firm until  October 2006, when he joined Vecellio Group, Inc. (VGI) as its Senior VP of Finance. Doug semi-retired in January 2023, but still serves as VGI's Director for Compliance and Tax. He also volunteers as an online financial coach for Crown Financial and maintains various credentials including CPA, CCIFP and CKA. Doug has served on various church and community boards over the years and enjoys spending time with his family. Doug and his wife Jody presently reside in Beckley. They have four children and nine grandchildren. Doug and Jody established the Natalie Jo Smith Scholarship Fund at BAF in 2010, in memory of their daughter.

Currently, BAF's Board is comprised of the following individuals:

• Douglas Ramsden, President
• Jereme Evans, Vice President
• Ann Worley, Secretary
• Sabrina Triplett, Treasurer
• Steven Ballard
• John Beasley
• Jenni Canterbury
• Sabrina Jenkins
• Julie Kominsky
• Rick Lay
• Michelle Leftwich
• Deena Salon
• Robert Doug Smith
• Clyde Stepp
• Gavin Ward

Get to know the BAF Board of Directors