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Cumberland will have a voice at the Center for Rural Virginia this year, as Lindsey Watson has been named to the group’s Board of Trustees for a second term. 

The Cumberland native was first appointed to the Board by former Speaker of the House Eileen Filler-Corn (D) and was reappointed by former Speaker of the House Todd Gilbert (R), demonstrating bipartisan support of her role with the Center.

“Lindsey’s commitment to the growth and prosperity of rural Virginia is unmatched,” said Kristie Proctor. She serves as the Center’s executive director. “Through her work as an active board member, she has helped guide the Center through decisions related to programming, specifically the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute. Her experience across the public and

private sectors as well as in both the Executive Branch and the Virginia General Assembly, is

beneficial to the Center now and as we grow.”

Watson’s background 

Watson currently serves as Director of Government Affairs at Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC). In this role, she develops legislative policy proposals, lobbies, and tracks legislation on behalf of REC and Virginia’s electric cooperatives that could directly or indirectly impact them at local, state and federal levels. Watson also has experience working as Director of Scheduling and Board Appointments for Speaker Filler-Corn in the House of Delegates, served as Director of the Executive Mansion under Governor Ralph Northam, and as Executive Assistant to the First Lady during Governor Terry McAuliffe’s administration. She also held positions at regulatory agencies, including the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Virginia Department of Health Professions

“I am incredibly proud of my rural roots,” Watson said. “Growing up on a family farm in Cumberland County taught me the importance of cooperation, being a good neighbor, and the value and beauty of our rural communities. I am thankful for the opportunity to continue being a part of the Center for Rural Virginia and to help create new opportunities for rural communities across the Commonwealth through innovation, strategic partnerships, and ingenuity.”

What is the Rural Center? 

The Virginia Rural Center is a collaborative partnership of the Center for Rural Virginia and the Council for Rural Virginia who work together toward the mission of economic prosperity for rural communities throughout Virginia. Together, the Center for Rural Virginia and the Council for Rural Virginia work with federal, state, and local policymakers and regulators as well private sector stakeholders to improve economic opportunities and preserve the quality of life throughout rural Virginia. Learn more about the Center and Council at www.cfrv.org