Meet our new class of board members!

Please help us welcome our newest board members: Sarah Girten, Reggie Pugh, Ryan Smith, Ty Smith, Al Billingsly, Jann Brown, and Matt Ramstead. Read more about each of them below:

Sarah Girten

Sarah is an interior designer and owns her own business - Sarah Girten Interior Design. She found CASA through the Shoe Sale and has fond memories of shopping there every year. She, unfortunately, had to miss the final sale because it was the same day as her wedding. Sarah tells us, "In a perfect world, all children would grow up in homes where they had the resources, love, and safe environments in which they could thrive. As we know, though, this world is far from perfect. That's why CASA is so incredibly important and so meaningful to me. CASAs level the playing field for disadvantaged children and children who have experienced unspeakable things. I am deeply honored to be able to give a voice to the kids who have had no voice, and to be able to help make a lasting positive impact on their lives when they most need it."

Reggie Pugh

Reggie retired from Framatome after a 43-year career. Just before retiring, he attended a United Way partner agency fair in his building where he learned more about CASA. He attended an information session soon thereafter and joined the next training class to become a CASA volunteer. He served many children over the course of almost seven years. Now he is stepping into a leadership role as a board member. He tells us, “As a CASA Volunteer Advocate for almost 7 years, I was in awe of the countless hours and efforts of the DSS Case Workers, Counselors, Teachers, Foster Parents, our CASA Staff, and others that worked tirelessly to advocate for the Children, and I was honored to collaborate with them so that these Children might not only survive but find happiness and success.  I look forward to working with the Board in helping to increase our Community’s recognition of the numbers of abused and neglected Children needing support/services and working to drive that awareness towards greater CASA financial support and the number of Volunteer Advocates.”

Ryan Smith

Meredith “Ryan” Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor with her own private practice, RYE Counseling & Consulting, PLLC. Ryan is a passionate advocate for children and has earned multiple certifications in trauma-informed care. She learned about CASA through her work as a counselor and wants to become a CASA volunteer when she retires. She tells us, “I’ve had the pleasure of working with many Volunteer Advocates over the course of my career as a children’s therapist. I’m passionate about what CASA of Central Virginia does for our community and excited that I now get to serve on its board.”

Ty Smith

Ty recently retired from the U.S. Army after 21 years of service supported by a Master's in Strategic Leadership and a Bachelor's in Organizational Leadership. He found CASA through LinkedIn and knew he wanted to get involved. He tells us, “The concept of community, evolution, and generational growth cannot be determined without recognizing the impact on our next generation. CASA provides an opportunity to support the most vital resource we have as a society, our children. The lengths and depths of a child can never be measured nor determined until its environment supports their growth. I want to be a part of that growth!

Al Billingsly

Al owns his own business - Billingsly Insurance. He served a six-year term on the CASA board, rotated off for one year, and now is back to serve again. He has been instrumental in securing sponsorships and prizes for the Superhero Run and has such a heart for the CASA mission. He tells us, “After taking a year off from the board I remained involved with CASA as much as I could. The Mustaches for Kids, the Super Hero Run, the Shoe Sale, and the Volunteer Retention committee. I realized how much I missed working closely with the amazing staff of CASA and being more involved in the work that they do. Abused and neglected children need our help, I want to be a part of the solution to this problem.”

Jann Brown

Jann is retired from the Department of Social Services - Division of Child Support Enforcement. She served as a CASA volunteer from 2002-2006, serving eight children in four cases. Through that volunteer work, she saw firsthand the importance of the organization. She tells us, “As a previous CASA advocate, I’ve seen the positive impact CASA makes in a child’s future.  My goal is to continue my part of that impact in our community as a CASA Board member.”

Matt Ramstead

Matt is Vice President of the Lynchburg Hillcats. He got involved with CASA through the Superhero Run several years ago and decided to join the planning committee for that event. He strives to be a positive influence in the local community. He tells us, “Over the last few years I have been able to see how impactful the work of CASA really is, and how much passion the organization has for supporting children. It will be a great honor to work alongside my fellow board members to do what we can with our different skill sets to positively change the lives of underprivileged children from our community."