RAAC’s Board
Ralph Bates, RAAC’s Fiscal Vice President, retired to Huntly about 7 years ago with his wife Gwen. His 46-year career focused on human development and organizational effectiveness with the Peace Corps, international and domestic organizations, and government agencies He is fluent in Spanish, an avid bird watcher, proud grandparent, photographer, and world traveler. His two children continue the journey to make the world a better place and be less destructive to the environment.
Matthew Black, President of the RAAC board, lives full-time outside of Sperryville with his wife, Barbara, after many years as a weekender. As an economist, he specialized in research, policy analysis, and management consulting. He was Senior Vice-President at SRA International before retiring. He and Barbara lived on Capitol Hill for 35 years where they raised their two children. He’s an avid photographer and an aspiring tennis player, runs with the Sperryville Rescue Squad, and helps with the Foothills Forum and RappU initiatives. Beyond bush hogging, his new joy is grand-parenting.
Barbara Black is chair of RAAC’s Claudia Mitchell Arts Fund and serves on the Art Tour committee. She is a retired development professional and wellness educator. She shares a home studio with husband/photographer Matthew and sister/artist Darien Reece, where she creates collages and hosts a meditation group and arts-related gatherings. She enjoys playing tennis, working in her vegetable garden, volunteering at the Food Pantry and being grandmother to 4 young grandchildren.
Pat Burke is RAAC’s Board secretary. Following a 40 year career in museum management, most recently as director of exhibitions at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, she moved to Rappahannock in 2002 with her husband, Walter Sorrell. Pat joined the RAAC board in 2011 and helped launch the Claudia Mitchell Arts Fund on which she continues to serve. In addition she co-chairs the Movie committee and looks forward to continuing her involvement with the many wonderful RAAC programs.
Lynn Dolnick and her husband Ed organize RAAC’s 2nd Friday Talks. They’ve had a home in Rappahannock since 1995. Now they spend summer and winter in Rappahannock and spring and fall in Brooklyn, NY—to be close to kids and grandkids. Lynn is a biologist, and worked at the National Zoo for over two decades in many capacities, lastly as Associate Director for Exhibit Planning. She is passionate about art, science, and conservation. Lynn also serves on the Mitchell Fund Committee.
Betsy Hille and her husband Rodger have lived in Castleton since 1999. She happily returns to the RAAC Board, having served from 2003-2009.? She has also served as a liaison on the RAAC Mitchell Fund Committee since 2015. She spent much of her 30-year career handling business development for such companies as Classical 103.5 WGMS Radio, WJLA TV (ABC7) CBS Radio and WMATA, including DC’s Metro. A REALTOR since 2002, she is licensed with Washington Fine Properties, based in Rappahannock and Middleburg.
Sallie Morgan is RAAC’s Treasurer, chairs the Community Theatre Committee, and organizes the Soup & Soul series. She and her husband Tod were founding members of RAAC in 1982. Sallie has been a teacher, legislative assistant, consultant, and community support director. She is currently the executive director of the Mental Health Association of Fauquier County. She loves theater, sings with Bel Canto, walks on her mountain, plays an occasional game of tennis.
Pete Pazmino organizes the RAAC Reading Series. A full-time resident of Rappahannock County since 2011, his fiction and non-fiction have appeared in many journals and magazines.He’s served numerous Fellowships at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and in 2015 was recognized as a Scholar by the prestigious Sewanee Writers’ Conference. He’s also been the recipient of two awards from RAAC’s Claudia Mitchell Arts Fund. When Pete’s not writing, he serves as Senior Training Manager for the Child Welfare Reviews Project at JBS International, Inc. He lives high on a mountain with his wife Sheila, Anna the dog, Suzy the cat, and 8 nameless chickens.
Heather Wicke chairs the annual Art Tour. She and her husband Bob Hurley have been weekenders for nine years and now spend more and more time in Rappahannock as their family and career obligations lessen. Heather has a PhD in Natural Resources and spent her career with various organizations including the US Senate Environment Committee, Environmental Law Institute, Piedmont Environmental Council, and National Wildlife Federation. She and Bob have two daughters working in environment-related policy jobs in DC. Heather is also a painter and is now moving into mixed media abstract painting.
Legal Counsel
Barbara Wall and her husband Chris have been weekenders in Rappahannock County since 2006. Barbara served on the RAAC board from 2011 through 2018 and currently provides legal advice to the Board. She also sits on the board of the Castleton Festival. When not in Rappahannock, Barbara spends her time as Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of the news and information company Gannett Co., Inc.