United Way Announces Campaign Leadership

United Way of Roanoke Valley’s 2006 Community Campaign Cabinet will be chaired by Harold M. McLeod, III, Roanoke President for Wachovia Bank.

United Way Board Chair Thomas L. McKeon, EdD, who is Executive Director of the Roanoke Higher Education Center, said this year’s Campaign Cabinet represents some of the region’s most loyal corporate partners in supporting the human service network of United Way-funded programs. “We are grateful that leaders from many of the same companies which conduct robust campaigns are willing to give of their time in building support for United Way, as well,” he said.

Mike Coppola, CEO for Advance Auto Parts, serves as campaign vice chair, supporting McLeod in campaign activities and preparing to serve as chair of the 2007 Community Campaign. Other Cabinet positions are filled by these individuals:

• Nancy Gray, Hollins University, Public Sector Group Chair
• Barry Henderson, SunTrust and Chuck Lockard, Allstate National Support Center, Loaned Executive Support Initiative
• Bill Hume, Interactive Design, and Melinda Payne, City of Salem, New Business Development Co-chairs
• Paul Klasing, Advance Auto Parts, Pacesetter Campaign Chair
• Mark and Cynthia Lawrence, Carilion Clinic, Presidents Circle Co-chairs
• Teleasa McLeod, Advance Auto Parts, & Kerri Thornton, Carilion Health System, Employee Campaign Manager Council
• Elwyn Murray, Advance Auto Parts, Business Group Chair
• Sally and Walter Rugaber, Community Volunteers, Tocqueville Society Co-chairs
• Lucy Walton, Community Volunteer, Marketing Chair.

The United Way of Roanoke Valley Community Campaign is southwestern Virginia’s largest health and human services philanthropic campaign, raising around $6 million annually in each of the past five years. The purpose is to build the United Way Impact Fund that supports a network of 64 different programs operated by 27 partner agencies that serve citizens of Roanoke, Salem, Vinton and the counties of Botetourt, Craig and Roanoke.

An estimated 30,000 people across the Roanoke Valley contribute to the United Way campaign that runs this year from August 30 to November 17. Kickoff ceremonies will be held for the first time at the Salem Avalanche baseball game on that Wednesday evening.

The mission of United Way of Roanoke Valley is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of people in our community.