Board Ballot Bios

ROBERT BROWN

entrepreneurial journey—fueled by a deep appreciation for historic downtowns—began and proudly continues here in Staunton.  Along with his wife, he is the co-founder of Essentially Zen Artisan Bath & Gifting Co., located in Staunton's historic Wharf district, and its sister store, Ovid & Lane, located just off the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville—two award-winning brick-and-mortar retail concepts...and both intentionally established in historic downtowns. These shops focus on small-batch, locally produced self-care items, curated alongside products from other Virginia makers, with a strong emphasis on quality, sustainability, and a celebration of community.

Additionally, he owns and operates a successful medical logistics company that has served the area’s largest healthcare systems across the Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro (SAW) area for over 15 years.  

When not leading these business ventures, Robert’s full-time career work is with Apex Clean Energy, where he specializes in corporate financing, mergers & acquisitions, and project development within the renewable energy sector.  

A proud UVA Hoo and adopted Stauntonian, Robert hopes to bring a unique combination of small business leadership, financial experience, and genuine enthusiasm to initiatives that support downtown revitalization and inclusive economic growth within our city.  To those ends, he has served on the SDDA Promotions and Economic Vitality Committees, is a member of the Staunton NAACP, and was a featured speaker on minority entrepreneurship at Mary Baldwin University.

Ultimately, Robert believes that historic downtowns—and in particular, our beloved Staunton—are vital economic drivers, cultural hubs, and centers of identity and civic life. They provide a sense of place, attract tourism, and serve as catalysts for community development.

As a candidate for the SDDA Board of Directors, he is committed to bringing renewed action, transparency, and accountability to the SDDA—and ensuring that the voices of downtown stakeholders are truly heard.

SUZIE DULL

brings a strong background in economic development and extensive experience supporting small businesses to her candidacy for the SDDA board. A passionate advocate for downtown Staunton, she has dedicated her career to building partnerships, strengthening local economies, and creating opportunities for business growth. Suzie has previously served on the SDDA board, 2013 - 2016, and understands the importance of collaboration between business owners, property owners, and community stakeholders. She is committed to representing and supporting the downtown business community and ensuring that Staunton remains a place where commerce and community thrive. Suzie lives in Staunton with her husband, Mike, and their son, Jacob, along with two cats, Maggie Mae and Pepper Jack.

HEATHER LEONARD

is a proud Staunton resident and downtown business owner (The Well Balanced Paw) with a strong commitment to the economic vitality and continued growth of the community. For the past 3 years, she has served on the Staunton Downtown Development Association’s Promotions committee and recently joined the Organization Committee. She has also regularly attended Tourism Advisory Board meetings, and has participated in local flood mitigation discussions that affect all of downtown. Heather is committed to helping shape the future of Staunton by fostering a vibrant downtown that benefits both residents and visitors, while continuing to support the growth and success of local businesses. 

SARAH LYNCH

can not believe how lucky she is to call Staunton home.  She owns Baja Bean whose cantina was famous for being “the only light on downtown” for decades.  Her first stint at SDDA was as ambassador for new business way back in 1999.  She is passionate about being an open resource and mentor to new businesses in Staunton and beyond.  Sarah is  also the founder and lead organizer for Queen City Mischief & Magic and most proudly the  mama of Henry Hoy and a few other misfit toys around the country. 

STACEY MCDONOUGH

has been an attorney in Virginia for almost twenty years, Stacey first lived in Staunton in 2006 and moved back with her family in 2020. She primarily works in business and real estate law, and has served on boards ranging from the Thomas Jefferson Area United Way to the Piedmont Housing Alliance. She is an enthusiastic advocate for Staunton City Schools and loves supporting locally owned businesses. When she’s not working out of the HUB or enjoying Shop and Dine Out Downtown, she enjoys volunteering to wrangle snakes at the Sunspots Stage during Mischief and Magic and serving up the best concession stand hot dogs this side of Afton for Staunton High athletics (go Storm!).

CLAIRE RICHARDSON

has proudly called Staunton home since 2010. She spent a decade with the City of Staunton’s Parks and Recreation Department before becoming Parks and Recreation Director for Nelson County. Today, she serves as Director of Student Life and Campus Recreation at Blue Ridge Community College, where she enjoys fostering connections with local college students.

Claire holds a Master’s degree in Sport and Recreation Leadership from James Madison University and earned a Graduate Certificate in Local Government Management from Virginia Tech in 2022. Since 2012, she has been deeply involved with the Staunton Downtown Development Association (SDDA), serving in roles such as Promotions Committee member, Chair of the Organization Committee, and now Board Vice President.

Passionate about Staunton and its downtown businesses, Claire is a dedicated advocate and an active, hands-on leader. Her many years of active service bring valuable institutional knowledge and a strong commitment to the community she calls home. 

RICHARD SAUNDERS

owner of Collins Market, has deep roots in Staunton as a downtown resident for over a decade.  As a business owner and active neighbor, Richard understands the challenges and opportunities that our historic downtown faces and is eager to lend his energy and enthusiasm to make Staunton a better place to live, work and play.

JAMIE STRANDBERG

With over 15 years of progressive experience in the banking industry, Jamie currently serves as Assistant Vice President–Branch Manager 2 at City National Bank in Staunton, Virginia. Since joining the bank in 2015, Jamie has advanced through multiple roles, demonstrating exceptional leadership, client relationship management, and operational expertise. Under Jamie's guidance, the branch earned numerous accolades, including Branch of the Year for the Southern Shenandoah Valley Region in 2020, Number One Branch in the New Market, and Million Dollar Production honors in both 2022 and 2023.

Prior to City National Bank, Jamie built a strong foundation at Branch Banking & Trust (BB&T) in Stuarts Draft, Virginia, where she held several positions from Certified Teller to Branch Banker Team Leader I. Throughout her tenure, Jamie consistently delivered outstanding customer service, drove sales performance, and mentored team members to success.

Jamie is a  proud graduate of Blue Ridge Community College with an Associate’s degree in Business Management.  Deeply committed to community engagement and small business development, Jamie continues to make a meaningful impact both inside and outside the branch. She currently serves as Treasurer for the Staunton Downtown Development Association (SDDA), Treasurer for the Stuarts Draft Baseball League, and President of the Stuarts Draft Quarterback Club. Through these leadership roles, Jamie actively supports youth programs, local entrepreneurs, and community initiatives—demonstrating her dedication to fostering growth, connection, and lasting change.

NIKKI WEST

is the principal Owner and cider maker at Ciders from Mars. She is dedicated to building community in downtown Staunton, working regularly with local non-profits and other downtown businesses to build a sense of place in the Wharf District. She serves as Board Secretary to the Virginia Cider Association and is on the Technical Review Committee for the Virginia Wine Board, which allocates funds for research and educational programs within Virginia's wine/cider industry.

CHRISTIAN VAMES

Proudly born and raised in Staunton, VA, Christian Vames earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Business Management from Bridgewater College in 2022. He is the owner of Frontline Model Kits, formerly JC General Hobby Surplus, at 18 W. Beverly St. in downtown Staunton and has been in the retail hobby industry since 2010. He credits his success to the many people he has met and come in contact with in this downtown development association.