The Blue Ridge Wildlife Center has appointed four new members to its Board of Directors: Susan Galbraith and Judy Landes, from Frederick County. Russell McKelway from Clarke County; and Timothy Bates from Loudoun.

Susan Galbraith is a graduate of St. Mary's College, in Notre Dame, Indiana. Her spouse's commitment to the U.S. Air Force required numerous relocations and opened up various work and volunteer opportunities, including political activism, service in hospitals, a veterinary clinic, a rescue-rehab-release center, therapeutic horseback riding schools, primary and secondary schools, theaters, historic preservation movements, children's museum, and domestic and international housing for humanity. From early childhood, "giving back" was an expectation that became a way of life.

Judy Landes has degrees in school psychology and taught at Shepherd University and Shenandoah University, retiring after 18 years. She has served on the boards of many social service organizations in Winchester and New York State where she has a summer home. She currently serves on the board of the Lake Placid Symphonetta in the Adirondacks. Non-profit management and governance are her particular interests in her board service.

Russell McKelway grew up in Northwest Arlington and met his wife Lori while at medical school and residency at the University of Virginia. They moved to the Shenandoah Valley in 1990 where Dr. McKelway is a practicing psychiatrist. They have two daughters and live in Clarke County. Dr. McKelway has served on local boards including the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and the Preservation of Historic Winchester.

A transplant from Maryland, Timothy Bates received a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Maryland, College Park. His career following graduation began with a large homebuilder, and at age 28, Bates achieved the distinction of becoming the youngest Division Manager in that company's history. In 2016, Bates joined CalAtlantic Homes as President of the mid-Atlantic Division. A self-taught naturalist, Bates is affiliated with numerous groups such as Ducks Unlimited, Quail Forever, Virginia Native Plant Society, American Chestnut Foundation and The Arbor Day Foundation.

"We feel extremely fortunate to be able to attract board members whose interests are so intertwined with ours," said Lisa Goshen, BRWC Board President. "Their dedication to the local community, including interests in education and protecting and preserving wildlife, will help to guide and promote our recent expansion of programs, and the increase in our wildlife patient population."

These new board members will join Tricia Booker, Loudoun County; Hillary Davidson, Fauquier County; Andrew Ferrari, Clarke County; Lisa Goshen, Clarke County; Michael Morency, Fauquier County; Patricia Robinson, Arlington County; and Beatrice von Gontard, Warren County.