RC-RV Advisory Board Members
Jeanne S. Armentrout
Retired Executive Carilion Clinic
Co-Owner - Constellation Consultin
Jeanne’s passion for leadership development inspired her to create a consulting business dedicated to leadership development and coaching in 2019.
As Chief Administrative Officer- Carilion Clinic for 12 years, Jeanne Armentrout oversaw the administrative and support functions for the health care system. Ms. Armentrout held a variety of leadership positions during her tenure with Carilion. She was responsible for Diversity, Health Equity and Community Benefit; Human Resources; Physician Recruitment and Credentialing; Home Care and Hospice; Technology, Data and Digital Care; Marketing, Planning and Organizational Communication; Supply Chain, Retail and Wellness. Prior to that, she served as Chief Human Resources Officer. Her background in organizational development gave her the opportunity to speak at many national conferences and author publications on leadership development, employee engagement and positive cultures. Ms. Armentrout’s past and current board service includes the Virginia Governor’s Workforce Board, the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind and Vision Impaired, the National Center for Healthcare Leadership, Corvesta, the Roanoke Higher Education Foundation, the Principal Client Advisory Council, and the Radford University Board of Visitors. She serves as adjunct faculty in the Health Care Administration Program at Radford University Carilion. She was a member of the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, and she serves on the Hollins University and Roanoke College President’s Advisory Councils.
Education: B.S. Nursing, Radford University; M.S. Nursing, University of Virginia; D.H.L., Jefferson College of Health Sciences; Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources; Fellow, Advisory Board Company
Zenith Barrett
Vice President of Advancement at with Goodwill® Industries of the Valleys
Zenith Barrett has been with Goodwill for ten years. As the VP of Advancement, Zenith oversees philanthropy, government affairs, economic development, and business engagement activities of the organization. She leverages strategic leadership, collaboration, and partnerships to engage business and community leaders, and elected officials in addressing industry-specific needs, emerging trends, key community initiatives.
Zenith's passion lies in serving the community, empowering others, and influencing change. She is a purpose-driven leader who strives to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals and the community.
In addition to her responsibilities at Goodwill, Zenith serves on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, Council of Community Services, and Community Advisory Board for Blue Ridge PBS. She is a member of Roanoke Women’s Foundation and AFP of Virginia’s Blue Ridge. These positions allow her to contribute her expertise and collaborate with other community leaders to address various needs and promote the well-being of the community.
Zenith has been recognized with the 2025 Virginia Black Leaders Awards and is also a 2025 Forty under 40 honoree.
Zenith holds a Masters in Public Administration from Columbus State University and a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Virginia State University.
Zenith is a native of Massachusetts and has lived in the Roanoke Valley for 15 years.
Harvey Brookins
Vice President and City Executive for the National Bank of Blacksburg
Harvey Brookins is a seasoned banking professional with three decades of experience, including 18 years in the Roanoke Valley. He has a passion for helping, whether it’s by providing financial solutions to clients or actively contributing to civic and nonprofit organizations.
In 2016, Harvey took on the role of Vice President and City Executive for the National Bank of Blacksburg, where he spearheaded the launch of the Roanoke Loan Production Office. Under his leadership, this initiative flourished, leading to the opening of the bank’s first full-service branch in the Roanoke Valley.
A committed community leader, Harvey serves on the boards of the Western Virginia Water Authority and the Roanoke-Blacksburg Innovation Alliance (RBTC and RAMP). His past board service includes organizations such as The Hotel Roanoke Commission, Goodwill Industries of the Valleys and Ferrum College.
Harvey attributes his success to his faith and the steadfast support of his family and friends—especially his wife, Martina, and their four adult children. His leadership, vision, and dedication continue to make a lasting impact on the financial and civic landscape of the Roanoke Valley.
Forest Jones
Director of Administrative Services for Salem City Schools
Dr. Forest I. Jones has been in K-12 education for 30 years, all with Salem City Schools. He is a proud 1995 graduate of Roanoke College. He received his Masters and administration certification from Hollins University and Radford University respectively. In 2011, he received his doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy from Virginia Tech. Over the years he has been a history teacher, assistant principal and principal. Currently, he is the Director of Administrative Services for Salem City Schools.
Forest also has higher ed experience, having done adjunct work for Hollins University in their education department.
Tommy Miller
Economic Development Director for Salem, Virginia
Tommy Miller is a career economic developer with experience at the local, regional and state levels of economic development. Since April 2022, he has been the director of Economic Development for the City of Salem, Virginia.
Tommy has a bachelor’s degree in Real Estate & Urban Land Development and a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning, both from Virginia Commonwealth University.
He most recently worked as a Sr. Business Investment Manager for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership in roles varying from project management to lead generation.
Prior to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Tommy had roles with Orange County, Virginia; Hanover County, Virginia, Franklin Southampton Economic Development, and the Greater Richmond Partnership. He achieved his certification through the International Economic Development Council in 2019.
He moved to the Roanoke Region from the Richmond area with his wife Julie, son Beckett and daughter Riley. Together they enjoy travel and the outdoors.
Marc Nelson
Roanoke City Economic Development Director
Government professional with over 20 years of public service at the local and state levels. Interested in project management, shaping innovation/entrepreneurship infrastructure, managing dynamic talent, and downtown revitalization of mid-sized and large Southern cities. Strong background in project management, innovation ecosystem building, budgeting and public outreach.
Specialties: Public outreach, liaison activities, project management and innovation.
Lisa Stoneman
Roanoke College, Executive Director for Curricular Innovation & Digital Learning
As a first-generation college graduate and Roanoke College alumna, Dr. Stoneman has a passion for education and fostering student success. She’s taught at Roanoke College for over two decades, rose to head of her Department and led the creation of a new master’s degree in Education. She was instrumental in launching the Bridges Program, which was picked as a research partner by the National Center for Research on Educator Diversity, and Explore@RC, which offers high school students a leg up on their college dreams.
Stoneman is a recipient of the Garren Excellence in Diversity Award, Maxey Award for Community Leadership and the Thomas Jefferson Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Natural Science Education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English at Roanoke College and her master’s and doctoral degrees in curriculum and instruction at Virginia Tech.
Taylor Spellman
Director, RBTC
Taylor Spellman comes to the RBTC with a rich background in marketing, media relations and project management for a variety of small businesses, startups and non-profit organizations. Her portfolio showcases a successful track record of launching and scaling new programs for success. Since joining the Tech Council, Taylor has helped triple membership, launched a technology talent program and spearheaded the planning and launch of the region’s first AI and emerging technology conference.
As the former Director of Public Relations for a tourism organization, Taylor worked with hundreds of media and news publications around the globe promoting placemaking for the Roanoke Region. Prior to that, Taylor helped the development and marketing efforts to launch Roanoke’s first coworking space, CoLab. She is a co-founder for Experience, dedicated to attracting and retaining talent in the Roanoke Region. Spellman serves on the Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority Board for Virginia’s Explore Park, originally appointed by former Virginia Governor McAuliffe. She is a graduate of Radford University and a member of the loves exploring new places and supporting local with her husband Tommy, their three young children and German Shorthaired Pointers.