By Debbie Adams
The Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce installed officers and its board of directors for 2025 at a
ceremony at the Vinton Moose Lodge on January 23. They were sworn in by Vinton Mayor Brad
Grose.
The officers and board members are not just business owners and leaders in the area – they are a
vital part of the life of the Town of Vinton and vigorously promote the community. They are familiar faces among the volunteers who staff the special events in the town from the Mingle Concert series to the Christmas Parade and more.
Chamber officers for 2025 are:
- President: Jason Boothe
- 1st Vice President: Allison Finney
- 2nd Vice President: Page Stovall Lovern
- Past President: Justin Davison
Chamber President Jason Boothe is a realtor with Mountain View Real Estate in Vinton, now
in his sixth year in the real estate business. He is partnered with longtime Roanoke City Chief
Sheriff David Bell where they are known as the Boothe Bell Real Estate Team Powered by
Mountain View Real Estate. He is very active in the Vinton community where he has served as a
board member and coach for the Vinton Booster Club, and vice president and president of the
William Byrd Baseball Booster Club from 2017-2020. Along with his board
positions, Boothe has also coached in the Vinton community for over 15 years.
His “love for the kids and parents” has made him lifelong friendships and what is “really cool” is
the “kids are now calling him to buy houses and “that means the world to me.”
Boothe has been married to his wife Nicole for 27 years. She is in her 18th year at William Byrd
High School, currently in the Guidance Department. They have two children. Daughter Taylor
and son-in-law Collin reside in Kansas where Collin is a captain in the Army. Son Bryce is
newly engaged to a Vintonite, Caroline Gibbs, and they plan to marry in October of 2026. Bryce
runs his own home renovation business in the town.
“I am the very proud Pappy to my 3-year-old granddaughter, Rylan, who lives with Mommy and
Daddy in Kansas,” Boothe says.
“I can’t express how excited I am to be able to work with such an amazing group of people who
truly care about the town,” said Boothe. “I am extremely happy with where the Chamber is today
and the leadership we have in place on our board. I look forward to serving the members and
sponsors of this great Chamber, and we will do everything we possibly can to make Vinton the
place to bring your business.”
Allison Finney will continue serving as first vice president of the Chamber. She is a graduate of
William Byrd High School and Virginia Tech where she majored in Housing, Interior Design
and Resource Management with an option in Residential Management. She manages several
family-owned residential properties (apartments and single-family homes) in Roanoke, Salem,
and Vinton. Finney also manages American Efficiency Inns, an extended-stay motel in
downtown Vinton, as well as two other commercial properties. She has been involved with many
organizations over the years. She is a founding member of the Square Society, serving on the
board for many years and eventually becoming president. While serving as president, she also
served on the Center in the Square board of directors. She has served on the Vinton Area
Chamber of Commerce board of directors for 13 years and on the executive board for nearly 11
years. Finney enjoys planning and volunteering for the various events hosted by the Chamber to promote and showcase the Town of Vinton. She enjoys life with her partner of 13 years, Randall
Walters.
Page Stovall Lovern will continue serving as the Chamber’s second vice president. A 2007
graduate of William Byrd High School and a 2012 graduate of Radford University with a
Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Lovern is the regional business office manager at Twenty/20
Management. In this role, she oversees the financial operations of multiple assisted living,
memory care, and independent living communities spanning from West Virginia to South
Carolina. She said she is passionate about engaging with the Roanoke Valley through various
networks to highlight what Vinton has to offer, and she is excited to contribute to the area’s
growth. Page is married to Brian, and together they have Brian’s daughter, Kayla. In her free
time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and exploring new places.
Justin Davison is the past president of the Vinton Chamber of Commerce, having first been
elected president in 2017. His involvement with the Chamber began in 2014, reflecting his long-
standing commitment to supporting local businesses and the community. Originally from New
Jersey, Justin has called Vinton home since 2008. Professionally, he serves as the branch
manager of the Member One Federal Credit Union office in Vinton. He is a Certified Credit
Union Financial Counselor and helps individuals and families improve their financial well-being.
In recognition of his career accomplishments and community involvement, Justin was selected
for The Roanoker Magazine’s “40 Under 40” in 2022. Outside of work, Justin is involved in a
variety of local organizations, including Junior Achievement, Center in the Square, Big Lick
Entertainment, and the Chamber. He enjoys supporting the valuable work these organizations do
to enhance the community. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Ashley, and their family and
friends. With a heart for service, Justin is dedicated to making a positive impact on the Vinton
community and helping those in need.
Members of the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors for 2025 include Donald
Childress, Anthony Conner, Libby Criss, Tim Greenway, Chris McCarty, Tim Nininger, Jason
Peters, Joy Rierson, Paula Robins, Chrissy Walton, Christopher Wheeler, and Julie Wheeler.
Donald Childress is a life-long resident of the Town of Vinton. He attended William Byrd High
School where he played basketball and baseball, graduating in 1994. He graduated from Emory
and Henry College with a BS Degree in Business Management. After college, Childress began
his career in the insurance industry. He has spent over 20 years helping his clients make
decisions with Medicare benefit plans, final expense plans and annuity. He decided to start his
own business in 2009, Coastal Insurance Planning of Virginia. His growing office is in Vinton
behind the Farmers’ Market. He has an adult son, Damon, grandson, Wraith, and granddaughter,
Aleaya.
Anthony Conner is a financial services professional with The Conner Group, a locally owned
financial practice. He works with a wide variety of clients including business owners and pre-
retirees. Prior to his start in the financial services industry, Conner earned his BS Degree from Carson-
Newman University in 1982.
He is a member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) since 2004. He also is a member of
the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA).
When he is not working, Conner enjoys serving the community as a board member of the
Chamber of Commerce and in the Vinton Breakfast Lions Club. He also enjoys traveling,
playing golf, and spending time with his three children, four grandchildren and two miniature
Schnauzers, Remy and Rigby, who are the current office mascots at The Conner Group.
Libby Patterson Criss is a young and upcoming professional with a zest for life and a drive to
make a difference. She has recently taken on the role of the director of new business at The
Conner Group, a prominent business in Vinton. Being raised in this town, Libby’s strong sense of
community fuels her desire to give back and make a lasting impact.
Tim Greenway is a native of Vinton and a 1982 graduate of William Byrd High School. He
holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Radford University. He was elected to the
Roanoke County School Board in November 2015 where he continues to serve.
Greenway has been involved in the private sector of business his entire career. He worked for a
local recycling company as assistant controller-controller for 16 years and then started Greenway
Construction Company in 1995, specializing in single family residential housing, as well as
developing a portfolio of investment real estate.
He said he has always had a strong interest in his community and wants to make a positive
intellectual investment in the continued growth of the Roanoke County school system. Greenway
is currently involved in the Chamber, Vinton Baptist Church, the Vinton Breakfast Lions Club,
and the school system.
Chris McCarty graduated from Radford University in 1989 with a BS in Business Management.
He was the manager of Grand Rental Station from 1990 until 2023 and Grand Storage of Vinton
from 1998 until the present. He is married to Vinton Town Council member Sabrina McCarty.
McCarty is involved in various community organizations, including the Vinton Breakfast Lions
Club and the Vinton First Aid Crew. He enjoys spending time at Smith Mountain Lake with
family and friends and attending sporting events. The McCartys have two children and two
grandchildren.
Tim Nininger is the owner of Star City Pest Control and Wildlife Services. He is from Smith
Mountain Lake in Moneta. He attended Northside and Christiansburg High Schools, Arizona
State University, and Clemson University. He has three children Tori (18), Tanner (18), and
Taylor (15). Nininger says he joined the Vinton Chamber because his friend Jason Boothe
invited him, and he became impressed with all the things the Chamber does for the Town of
Vinton.
Jason Peters is a 1994 graduate of William Byrd High School. He was vice president of First
Citizens Bank for 24 years and served as the Board of Supervisors member for the Vinton
District from 2014 to 2023. He is currently the Commissioner of the Revenue for Roanoke
County. He also serves Roanoke County on the Audit Committee and the Towing Advisory
Committee. He serves the Commissioners of the Revenue Association of Virginia on the Legislative, Veterans, and Finance committees. He was the capital co-chair of the Vinton/Roanoke County Veterans “High Ground” Monument. He is an Active Life Member (32 years) with the Vinton First Aid Crew, currently serving as president. Peters lives in East County “with my bride of 16 years, Candye, and our two minor children. We have been blessed with a total of eight children.”
Joy Rierson joined Neely’s Accounting Services in September 2021 as the office mManager and
staff accountant. She is a graduate of Saint Mary’s College of California with a Bachelor of
Science in Management and a minor in Accounting, Rierson boasts over 20 years of experience
in the accounting field. Her expertise encompasses a wide range of areas, including business
accounting, payroll, taxes, and audit preparation. A Leadership Roanoke Valley participant and
QuickBooks® Pro Advisor, Rierson brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. When not
immersed in the world of accounting, she enjoys spending quality time with her family on the
lake, indulging in water sports, and creating lasting memories.
Paula Robins started at Bank of Botetourt in August 2001. She has been in banking for a total of
40 years. She is now AVP/ Branch Manager at Bank of Botetourt’s Vinton location. She is
married to Reggie Robins and has two children and four grandchildren. “I love working in
Vinton,” Robins says. “I get to walk daily in downtown Vinton at lunch.”
Chrissy Walton grew up in Vinton and graduated from William Byrd High School in 2002
(where she played softball). She has over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry,
working with some of Roanoke’s most well-known establishments. In 2023 she teamed up with
restaurateurs Todd Lancaster and Jonathan Pate to help open Pollard 107 South where she
oversees marketing and operations for all three of their local restaurants with one more opening
soon. She is passionate about the restaurants, the people they employ, and making Vinton a great
place to eat, drink and spend time with friends and family. She married Josh Walton in April
2024 and will soon celebrate their one-year wedding anniversary.
Christopher Wheeler currently works for New Millenium in Salem as an inside sales
coordinator. He has been there since April 2024. He was previously with Wells Fargo Bank for
26 years. He grew up in Bedford County but has lived in Vinton for the past 24 years. “I became
friends with the owners of Twin Creeks Brewing Company when they were still brewing in
Barry Robertson’s garage,” Wheeler says. “Once they decided to start a business, I was there
from the beginning, helping with construction, painting and, of course, taste testing. Once the
brewery was up and running, I was there so often they offered me a job to make a little extra
money on the side.”
He has now worked part-time at the brewery for eight years. “For the past four years I’ve been
running social media and booking the music for the brewery,” said Wheeler. “My goal was to
showcase what the brewery has to offer and to partner with other local businesses to cross
promote and grow the Vinton community as a whole. I hope being part of the Chamber gives me
those connections and opportunities.”
He has two sons who have grown up around the brewery and who love to play bingo and trivia,
and listen to the music there.
“My sons are both musicians, and each has his own band. They get to hang out and talk to the
musicians we have in, which encourages them to pursue their dreams. We enjoy the outdoors,
fishing, kayaking, and going to concerts. They are at the center of everything I do, and I hope
being on the Chamber board helps us be more connected with our community.”
Julie Wheeler works at the Vinton HomeTrust Bank and has nine years of banking experience.
She grew up in Fredericksburg but has been a Vinton resident since 2008. She is an Army
veteran who served six years and has been stationed all over the country, including Hawaii. She
is fervent about volunteering, blood donation and supporting local businesses. She is also very
active with Showtimers community theatre in Roanoke. She enjoys reading, extreme adventures,
spending time with her grown children, traveling and going to see live music, theatre and
sporting events.
Chamber Ex-Officio representatives to the Chamber board from the Town of Vinton include
Town Council member Mike Stovall, Town Manager Pete Peters, and Director of Cultural
Placemaking and Events Mandy Adkins.
Mike Stovall has served on Vinton Town Council since 2018. He represented the Vinton District
for almost 20 years on the Roanoke County School Board prior to serving on council. Stovall
served as an investigator for the Vinton Police Department for many years, beginning his career
as a dispatcher at age 19. He is a third-generation Vintonite and a graduate of William Byrd High
School. Stovall and his wife Patsy have three children and three grandchildren.
Pete Peters has served as Vinton town manager since January 2021. He served as assistant town
manager and economic development director for almost five years prior to that. He spent 10
years as director of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism for Botetourt County, two years as athletic
director at Roanoke Catholic School, and seven years with the City of Roanoke Department of
Parks and Recreation as athletic programmer. Peters graduated from William Byrd High School
in 1993. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Administration from Ferrum College,
and earned his Graduate Certificate in Local Government Management from Virginia Tech. He
and his wife Cameron have two children, Cadence (a student at Appalachian State) and Falan (a
student at Virginia Tech). His hobbies include mountain biking, kayaking, tent camping, and
home remodeling.
Mandy Adkins has been the Ddirector of Cultural Placemaking and Events in Vinton since
April 2024. A graduate of James Madison University, Mandy holds a Bachelor of Science in
Sports & Recreation Management and a Master of Science in Sports & Recreation Leadership.
Her career began as the director of Recreation for Shenandoah Valley United Soccer Club, where
she spent two years serving the Harrisonburg community. In 2013, she relocated to Texas and
took on the role of director of Youth and Community Programs for San Antonio’s local sports
commission, San Antonio Sports. There, she managed a variety of health and wellness programs
that reached over 200,000 participants annually, increasing participation by 90% during her
tenure.
Her work with San Antonio Sports also included significant contributions to high-profile events
such as the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four, multiple rock and roll marathons, the 2016 Summer
Olympics Team Processing, and several other large-scale events.
In January 2021, she returned home to Virginia, becoming the director of Parks and Recreation
for Botetourt County, where she served for three years before joining the Town of Vinton. In her
current role, Adkins develops, manages, and promotes special events, recreational programs, and
cultural initiatives tied to the town’s community facilities. She also works closely with local
businesses and the Chamber of Commerce to foster a thriving, welcoming downtown
environment.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Taylor, and their two sons.
The Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce has two employees, Executive Director Angie
Chewning and Executive Assistant/Financial Coordinator Kathryn Sowers.
Angie Chewning became executive director of the Chamber of Commerce in the fall of 2010.
She takes an active role in promoting business, industry, and tourism in the area. She believes
that growth starts with people who are willing to share their ideas and ask questions. She is
newly married to Greg Boitnott. Chewning has three children, Cydney, Drake, and Abbie, a
stepdaughter, Elena, and two grandchildren, Kellen and Lainey Bell.
She serves on the Roanoke Regional Partnership Board, and the Ronald McDonald House board
of directors. She served as chair of the Vinton Relay for Life from 2012-2016. Chewning has
served as a member of the Town of Vinton Revitalization Committee, the Preventive Council
Committee, and the Urban Development Advisory Committee.
Chewning loves promoting all things Vinton and is always encouraging folks to “Shop Local.”
She loves volunteering for events and organizations that help people and make the community a
better place to “live, work, shop and play.” She enjoys being part of the Chamber of Commerce
and getting to know fellow business owners and supporting their efforts as they support hers. She
feels that it is important to give back.
Kathryn Sowers works part-time for the Vinton Chamber of Commerce as executive assistant
and financial coordinator. She is a native of Vinton. She has one son, Todd, and three
grandchildren, Christiaan, Austin, and Hannah. Volunteering is an important part of her life.
Sowers was the secretary/treasurer of the Vinton/Roanoke County “High Ground” Veterans
Monument on the grounds of the Vinton War Memorial. She is the treasurer of the Arnold R.
Burton Scholarship Fund that awards two scholarships each year to William Byrd High School
students.
She serves on the board of directors for General Federation of Women’s Club International,
serving as a committee member of the Elections Committee, as Southeastern Region Budget &
Finance chairman, and Past Region President, GFWC Virginia Meeting chairman for the 2025
meeting and Past State President, Blue Ridge District Advisor and Past District President, and
GFWC Woman’s Club of Vinton Co-President.
Sowers is the Vinton-appointed representative on the Roanoke County/Salem Social Services
Board. She is also very involved in her church, Vinton Baptist as church clerk, secretary of the
Sunday School, and co-chair of the Hostess Committee. She served the Roanoke Valley Baptist
Association on the Executive Director Search Team and as past moderator, the Roanoke Valley Baptist Association WMU as treasurer and past director (president), and the Baptist General
Association of Virginia.
(photos courtesy of Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce)
