Kelly Blake, Vice President, grew up in Nicholas County. She is a Health Scientist and Program Director at the National Cancer Institute* and received her doctorate from the Harvard School of Public Health. She and her husband Michael Young are active community members. They reside in Mount Nebo with their daughter.

*Kelly Blake is serving in her personal capacity as a member of the Nicholas County Community Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Steve Ferguson, Treasurer, is a CPA who owns and operates Ferguson Services, Inc. He is a very active community member, bringing many jobs and businesses to Nicholas County. He is involved in the Summersville Rotary Club and has served on Summersville Chamber of Commerce, as well as many other boards and community building services. He and his wife Joy reside in Summersville.

Jim Davis, Secretary, is an executive at Bright Enterprises. He and his wife Jane have served on numerous NCCF committees and given back to our community in many ways.

Tamara Mullins, Executive Director, and the only employee of the Nicholas County Community Foundation. She serves a 12 member volunteer Board of Directors and coordinates around 20 volunteers for the Committees. Born and raised in Charleston, WV, Tamara was a graduate of Capital High School. She went on to receive a BS in Dietetics/Nutrition from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA and then an Associate Degree for Registered Nursing from Carolinas College of Health Sciences in Charlotte, NC.She now resides in Summersville, WV with husband Bandy and their four children, Serena, Kensey, William and Paxton. Tamara is also involved in the school PTA, Summersville Rotary Club, Board Member of the Summersville Public Library and many other civic minded projects. 

Anita Groves grew up in Nicholas County and recently returned after living in the Northwest, Anita serves as a Vice President at United Bank.  Her vast experience in financial and estate planning is a great asset to NCCF. She chairs the Investment Committee as well as serving as a Board member and Audit and Finance Chair for Nicholas Community Action Partnership, Board Member and Treasurer for Friends R Fun School, Summersville Chamber of Commerce member and Summersville Rotary Club member.  Anita was also former Secretary and Board member of the Veterans Memorial Park and Former Board member of Shelter Workshop.  

Mary M. Igo is the Regional Director of Operations for the Nicholas County Campus of New River Community and Technical College has been employed by New River since 2002. Igo has an R.B.A. from Glenville State College and an M.B.A. from Salem International University. Igo is currently the President of the Summersville Rotary Club, Secretary of the Summersville Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Vice President of both the 4-H Leader’s Association and the Nicholas County Community Action Partnership Board.

Delegate Heather Tully, MSN, APRN, NP-C, FNP-BC

Greetings! My name is Heather Tully. I am a Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nurse, Delegate, wife, & Nana. I reside in beautiful Summersville, WV with my husband, Lawrence; our cat, Lucy; and two Jerusalem donkeys—Mistletoe & Holly. My husband has two grown children. We have five beautiful grandchildren: Avery Elizabeth Tully (10), Mason Ryan Granus (8), Emily Claire Tully (8), Eli Taylor Tully (5), & Samuel Chase Tully (4). We are blessed that they all reside close to us in Nicholas County & we are afforded the opportunity to spend as much time with them as possible.

I am a 1998 graduate of St. Albans High School. I attended the University of Charleston, graduating cum laude with my Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing in 2002. I have been a Registered Nurse in the State of West Virginia for over 18 years. Prior to pursuing advanced nursing education, I was a practicing critical care Registered Nurse with 13+ years of experience working in high acuity intensive care units of a large, academic medical center in WV. I spent the first six years of my nursing career working in the Medical-Surgical ICU, now known as the Surgical-Trauma Intensive Care Unit; the next seven years were spent in the Medical Intensive Care Unit & Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit.

In mid-2015, while I was weighing my options & awaiting acceptance into graduate school, I took the opportunity to expand my skill set by enrolling in New River Community & Technical College. I graduated from NRCTC in May 2016 as an honors graduate with a Certificate in Technical Studies—Medical Billing & Coding.

Immediately following my graduation from NRCTC, I was accepted into the Master of Science in Nursing—Family Nurse Practitioner program at West Virginia University. I graduated from the WVU MSN—FNP program in 2018. Following graduation, I became a dual board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. I hold certifications as an FNP from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners as well as American Nurses Credentialing Center.

I am a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 41st District comprised of Nicholas & Greenbrier Counties. I was appointed by Governor Justice to serve in the seat vacated by my predecessor in June 2020. I was elected to the seat in November 2020. I am proud to say that I won the seat capturing a resounding 73% of the vote in the district. I currently serve on the House Education Committee, the House Health & Human Resources Committee, the House Infrastructure & Technology Committee, & the House Political Subdivisions Committee.

I am a member of the American Nurses’ Association, the West Virginia Nurses’ Association, & the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. I also serve as a member of the Nicholas County Republican Executive Committee. I am a member of the Nicholas County Community Foundation and the Grand Order of the Royal Leprechauns—scholarship & civic fundraising organizations. My involvement in these organizations help me to maintain my sense of community & keep my advocacy skills strong.

My goal as a Delegate is to work toward policy & legislation that improves the clinical practice environment for all patients & nurses in our state, improvement of the educational system for our children, & advancing Nicholas County as far as possible.

Barbara LeRose is a very active community member, alongside her husband Rodney. She owns and operates Starlite Promotions and currently serves on the Summersville Rotary Club. She resides in Summersville.

Michael Perilli, is a graduate of Marshall University with a degree in Marketing and Retailing. Having worked in the banking industry, he also serves as the WV State Bank Examiner before having started a coal brokerage business. He has served on numerous boards including the WV Coal Association, Seneca Mental Health, NC Community Action and currently on the BB&T Advisory Board. Mike and his wife Martha reside in Summersville.

Benjean Rapp will be serving her first term on the NCCF Board, as a member of the Social Media Committee.  A resident in Lockwood, Benjean returned to her home place in 2000, after living in other parts of WV.  

Being active in the Community of Athens, WV, where she worked for Concord University while  residing there for 25 years .  She was Chairwoman for the Athens – Concord Town Social for thirteen years, owner-hostess of Maple Leaf Bed & Breakfast, as well as a Real Estate Agent for twelve years, selling in WV and Sout Carolina.

Returning home in 2000 to Nicholas County, Benjean is active in County and State Republican politics. She is current County Chairwoman in NICHOLAS County, Chairwoman for 11th Senatorial Committee and Secretary for State Republican County Chairs. She served as  Vice Oresident and President of the Old Main Foundation, stepping down in 2019.  Is an active member Fairview Baptist Church, mother of three and grandmother of seven grandsons.  

Robert Shafer, Mayor of Summersville, is currently serving his first term as a private citizen. He owns and operates Shafer Insurance Associates LLC, an independent insurance agency established in 1992. Robert serves on numerous boards of directors to support economic growth and improve the quality of life in southern West Virginia. Having served his country as a Marine he is an avid supporter of the military and our Veterans.

Dr. John Mark Walkup  In his 30th year as a full-time faculty member in higher education, Dr. John M. Walkup is a Professor of Music at New River Community and Technical College where he teaches courses in music, fine arts, and education. During his tenure, he has also served as administrator in various roles from Department Chair to Interim Dean, and was named a Chancellor’s Leadership Fellow in 2009. He has earned degrees from Glenville State College, the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, and West Virginia University. His solo piano performance venues in West Virginia comprise the Governor’s Mansion, the Greenbrier Hotel, and the Cultural Center in Charleston. Guest solo artist appearances include Georgia State University, St. Ambrose University, and Lincoln Land Community College. 

He resides in Summersville with his wife, Angie, and their kids, Kathleen and Johnny. They all enjoy travel, various sports activities, and relaxing together at home.