Bruce Tallamy, President, born in Plainfield NJ, -9-1942 served in the US Navy 1961 to 1967 ( MM-2 SS), submarine service aboard the USS Conger SS-477 and the USS Redfin SS-272 leaving the service of my country with an honorable discharge.

1967 to 1971 – Employed by Associates Capital Company in Virginia Beach, Va., Charlotte, NC., and Charleston, WV as a commercial/consumer lender.

1971 to 1978 – Employed by Ashland Financial Services, Summersville, WV as a commercial/consumer lender.

1978 to 2009 – Employed as Sr. Vice President by Farmers & Merchants Bank, One Valley Bank South, all predecessors to Branch Bank and Trust Company who purchased the common stock of One Valley Holding, where I served from 2000 to 2009 as the Sr. Vice President/ City Executive for the Nicholas, Fayette, Webster and Clay county area with a concentration of commercial lending and overseeing the five banking facilities in my assigned geographic area. Retired in September 2009 as Area President.

2009 to present – Retired

I currently and formerly served as a member of the Board of Directors for the following: Nicholas County Building Commission (current), Nicholas County Community Foundation (current), Nicholas County Solid Waste Authority (former)
Summersville Youth Athletics, Inc. (former), Summersville Regional Medical Center (former)

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, a Grant Committee Chair Person, and on the Finance and Scholarship Committee.

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 is a member of 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.

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.

Benjean Rapp will be serving her first term on the NCCF Board, as a member of the Marketing 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 South 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.

Jay Borrell, Investment Committee Chair, is a manufacturing professional currently holding the position of plant manager at JELD-WEN Fiber WV. He has been in the field for more than 30 years. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Summersville Regional Medical Center, Youth Leadership at Summersville Baptist Church and on the Board of Directors of the Summersville Convention and Visitors Bureau. He resides in Summersville and enjoys spending time with his sons.

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.