Leadership
Our volunteer, unpaid board charts the organization's strategic course and ensures it is effectively carrying out its mission.
Executive Committee
Ross Grogg
Chair
Richmond
Member Since: 2017
Grogg is a lobbyist with Kemper Consulting. He is a former legislative aide to Sen. Jeff McWaters (R-Virginia Beach).
Elizabeth Hooper
Vice Chair
Richmond
Member Since: 2020
Hooper is Associate Vice President of Government and Community Relations for Virginia Tech. She worked as an aide to Del. Ward Armstrong (D-Martinsville.)
Harrison Wallace
Secretary
Richmond
Member Since: 2021
Wallace is Program Officer with the Climate and Clean Energy Equity Fund.
Samantha Sedivy
Treasurer
Richmond
Member Since: 2021
Sedivy is Senior Legal Counsel for SAP NS2 and is an adjunct professor at the University of Richmond School of Law. She is a former Virginia lobbyist.
Deborah Oswalt
Governance Chair
Richmond
Member Since: 2021
Oswalt is Executive Director of the Virginia Health Care Foundation, which helps bring care to underserved communities.
Abigail Farris Rogers
Immediate Past Chair
Richmond
Member Since: 2020
Rogers is Senior Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer for YMCA of the U.S.A. She is a former GOP fundraiser.
Tom Cosgrove
Williamsburg
Member Since: 2015
Cosgrove is manager of Corporate, Citizenship & Government Relations at Newport News Shipbuilding. He is a former executive director of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.
Jasen Eige
Bristol
Member Since: 2025
Eige is Vice President and General Counsel for The United Company in Bristol, VA. He formally served as Counselor and Senior Policy Advisor to Governor McDonnell.
Maurice Jones
Hampton Roads
Member Since: 2025
Jones is the Vice President of News at WHRO Public Media. He was previously Secretary of Commerce and Trade under the McAuliffe administration.
Bill Leighty
Bon Air
Member Since: 2019
Leighty, a partner in DecideSmart LLC, served as chief of staff to Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.
Michael Schewel
Richmond
Member Since: 2021
Schewel is a retired attorney who was a McGuireWoods partner and general counsel at the Tredegar Corporation. He served as Secretary of Commerce and Trade in the Warner administration.
Paul Shanks
Richmond
Member Since: 2022
Shanks is manger of digital communications and marketing for Dominion Energy. Before joining Dominion, Shanks was responsible for promoting the 2015 UCI Road World Cycling Championships in Richmond.
Nancy Smith
Henrico
Member Since: 2017
Smith is Political Director for Middle Resolution PAC and former campaign manager for Congressman Dave Brat (R-Henrico).
The Hon. J. Walter Tejada
Arlington
Member Since: 2025
Tejada is a former Member (D) of the Arlington County Board, and the founder of several civic organizations, including the Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations (VACOLAO).
Carter Whitelow
Richmond
Ex-Officio Member Since: 2025
Whitelow is a Government Relations Director at Commonwealth Strategy Group. He was previously the Chair of the VPAP Partners Board for two years.