Board of Directors
The Board of Directors have very defined roles and responsibilities within the Chamber of Commerce. Essentially, it is the role of the board of directors to hire the President/CEO and assess the overall direction and strategy of the Chamber.
The Primary Role of the Board is as follows:
- Recruiting, supervising, retaining, evaluating and compensating the President/CEO is probably the most important function of the board of directors.
- The board has a strategic function in providing the vision, mission and goals of the organization. These are often determined in combination with the President/CEO of the Chamber.
- The board has the responsibility of developing a governance system for the business. The articles of governance provide a framework but the board develops a series of policies.
- The governance system involves how the board interacts with the President/CEO.
- The board has a fiduciary responsibility to represent and protect the member’s/investor’s interest in the company. So the board has to make sure the assets of the company are kept in good order.
To learn how to get involved, click here or contact the Chamber at mailbox@fauquierchamber.org
Priscilla Hottle
Chairperson
Priscilla Hottle is the President & CEO of Hottle and Associates, an Independent Insurance Agency located in Northern Virginia. Hottle has offices in Warrenton, VA and is currently celebrating their 15th Anniversary.
Hottle has expertise in the placement of General Business & Health Insurance, Professional Liability protection, Crime, Bonding, Cyber Liability and Directors and Officers protection for select clients. The agency currently represents a number of mid-size to large firms in the DC Metro area. In addition, the firm provides Personal Insurance protection to middle market and high net worth individuals throughout their footprint.
Hottle is the Past Chairman of ARM International, a group of 220 partners in an insurance network across the country. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of IIAV, the Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia and served as Chairman in 2022. She serves on the Executive Committee of the Women’s Business Council and the Finance Committee for the Fauquier Chamber of Commerce.
Formerly Hottle was the President of USI DC Metro, one of the largest Insurance Brokers in the Country. Prior to USI, Hottle was the Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer of Patterson/Smith Associates, one of the top regional insurance agencies in the metropolitan Washington area. In that role, she served on many carrier advisory boards and agent councils.
Ray Knott
Vice Chair
Ray is the Executive Vice President – Commercial Banking Executive for Blue Ridge Bank. With over 33 years in the banking industry, Ray holds a B.S. in Business Administration - Finance from Longwood University and has graduated from both the VBA School of Bank Management at the University of Virginia and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. In 2022, Virginia Business Magazine named him one of Virginia’s 100 People to Meet.
Ray has been a Chamber Board member in a number of capacities including two terms as Chairman and currently serves as the Vice Chair. He believes it's crucial to the economic prosperity of Fauquier for businesses to have access to the resources and support needed to help their businesses grow and reach their full potential.
In addition to his roles with the Chamber, Ray continues to remain deeply involved in his community and serves on a number of other Boards to include the Culpeper Wellness Foundation, the PATH Foundation, GO Virginia Council for Region 9, and Lead Virginia.
In his free time, Ray enjoys staying active, golfing, and both offshore and inshore fishing.
Dawn Arruda
Immediate Past Chair
Dawn Arruda is a seasoned real estate professional with a remarkable 17-year career specializing in helping clients sell their homes. Dawn is a 3rd generation Real Estate Professional and works with Ross Real Estate in Warrenton, VA. As a longtime resident of Fauquier County, former business owner and a Military Veteran, Dawn used these experiences to build a reputation of honesty and integrity, that is unsurpassed.
Dawn’s comprehensive understanding and insider knowledge empower sellers on how to navigate the complexities of preparing their homes and the journey that lies ahead. Dawn’s dedication and outstanding performance have garnered multiple awards, including 12 consecutive years as a top producer and the prestigious Realtor of the Year title in 2020. These accolades highlight her commitment to achieving exceptional results for her clients. Dawn prides herself on her compassion for the process and for her clients and goes above and beyond to help them through one of life’s most stressful events.
Dawn is an active community supporter for several organizations. She is also a member of the Warrenton Rotary Club and was the 2024 Chairperson of the Fauquier Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Dawn was awarded the Realtor of the Year in 2020 by GPR and was appointed to serve on the Fauquier Board of Equalization by The Honorable Circuit Court Judge, Jeffrey W. Parker in 2018.
Rebecca Segal
Treasurer
A strategic healthcare leader specializing in transformational change, organizational culture, and service line development with focus on operations and quality care, Rebecca Segal joined Fauquier Health in late 2022 after more than a decade of hospital leadership experience around the country. A native Virginian, she grew up in Fredericksburg and has strong ties to the Northern Virginia area.
Since arriving, her primary focus has been on patient care, specifically quality and safety. As a leader, Rebecca understands that in order to take exceptional care of patients, the culture of a healthcare system must take exceptional care of its staff. Initiatives to improve the culture have resulted in a 30% increase in employee engagement scores. Quality improvements include no patient fall-related injuries in more than 14 months, no pressure injuries in over a year and a significant reduction in harms, including infections. These improvements were recently recognized by the Leapfrog Organization, which gave Fauquier Health an A grade for patient safety.
Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Mary Washington and a Master of Health Administration degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. In 2017, she was named one of Becker’s Hospital Review’s “Rising Stars: 60 Healthcare Leaders Under 40.” She is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Rebecca lives in Fauquier County with her husband and two Boykin Spaniels.
Gloria Williams
Secretary
Lorna Magill
Vice Chair EDLA
Lorna Magill is an accomplished finance and operations leader dedicated to empowering individuals and business owners to maximize their financial resources and achieve their desired lifestyle. With a distinguished career spanning various industries, Lorna has held prestigious roles including the first CFO of the PATH Foundation, government consultant, fractional CFO/Controller, and business owner. Her diverse experience showcases her versatility and commitment to excellence.
Lorna was elected as a member of the Fauquier Chamber of Commerce in 2020 and has served on the Finance Committee, the Governance & Nominating Committee, the Executive Committee and is currently the Chair of the Economic Development & Legislative Affairs Committee.
Lorna feels that serving on the Board provides the opportunity to influence local business growth, network with key stakeholders and enhance her leadership impact. She feels that the role offers her personal and professional development while making a positive community impact.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Lorna is an adventure enthusiast and avid traveler, she is currently preparing for a 100-mile hike across England. You can follow her adventure on Facebook on The 500 Mile Supernovas group.
She cherishes quality time with her three sons, husband, and friends. A passionate reader, Lorna is always seeking new challenges and opportunities for personal growth and learning.
Angie Thomas
Angie is the Manager, Forecasting, NERC Compliance and Business Systems at Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) and has amassed over 30 years of electric utility experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business management and a Master of business administration with a concentration in finance. Angie has been a proud resident of Fauquier County for over 34 years.
Caitlin Adkins, CPO
Caitlin Adkins, a life coach and professional organizer, is the visionary force behind Spaces Organized & Styled, LLC, a prominent Holistic Residential Organizing Company that is revolutionizing the concept of tidiness and harmony in living spaces. Her passion for helping individuals and families achieve lasting and transformative results through organizing is the driving force behind her remarkable success.
As an expert in the field, Caitlin firmly believes that true organization goes beyond merely decluttering physical spaces; it involves nurturing the whole individual. With her unique and personalized approach, she strives to create environments that promote emotional well-being, mental clarity, and overall life satisfaction.
Caitlin's profound dedication to her craft is evident through her diverse and extensive certifications. She holds credentials in the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), a therapeutic method that addresses emotional challenges and fosters self-awareness. Additionally, she is a practitioner of Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), Breathwork Facilitator, TIME Techniques, Life and Success Coaching, and Clinical Hypnosis. These valuable tools enable her to work closely with clients to identify underlying issues and provide comprehensive solutions to achieve sustainable organization.
Her academic prowess is equally impressive, boasting a Master's Degree in Legal Studies from the prestigious Washington University School of Law. This background adds a strategic edge to her approach as she navigates complexities and streamlines processes to create well-organized and functional spaces.
With an unwavering commitment to her client's well-being, Caitlin invests time in truly understanding their unique needs, lifestyles, and aspirations. Her empathetic nature and exceptional communication skills foster a strong sense of trust and collaboration with those she works with, making her an invaluable partner on the journey to a more organized life.
Caitlin's dedication to the holistic approach extends beyond her professional life. She actively engages in community outreach programs, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds to enhance their lives through organization and personal development.
Through Spaces Organized & Styled, LLC, Caitlin Adkins continues to redefine the significance of residential organizing. Her clients benefit from a harmonious, efficient, and uplifting living environment that not only brings order but also rejuvenates their spirit and ignites a newfound sense of purpose. Caitlin's passion, expertise, and commitment to the holistic organization make her a true trailblazer in her field, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of all who are fortunate enough to work with her.
Al Penksa
Renee Norden
Renee Snyder Norden has served as the Executive Director of the Mental Health Association of Fauquier County since November 2020. A longtime resident of Fauquier County who grew up in northern Culpeper County, Renee is passionate about collaborating with community organizations and individuals to enhance prevention, education, and treatment efforts that promote mental wellness across Fauquier, Rappahannock, and Culpeper counties.
A dedicated mental health advocate, Renee has been teaching Youth Mental Health First Aid since 1995 and Adult Mental Health First Aid since 2020. Before joining the Mental Health Association, she served as the Director of Guidance at Highland School for 15 years and worked as an Emergency Services Clinician and Suicide Prevention Specialist for Encompass Community Services.
Renee is excited to serve on the Fauquier Chamber of Commerce’s Board as she is particularly committed to strengthening the relationships between nonprofit and for-profit organizations, emphasizing that the only distinction between the two is their tax code status: "We are all businesses working to improve our county’s connections and wellbeing."
An active member of the community, Renee also serves on the boards of the Fauquier Free Clinic, Aging Together, and Mental Health America-Virginia. She is a past Board Chair for the Fauquier Free Clinic and currently is their Board Development Chair. Renee also serves on Ignite Fauquier’s planning committee.
Renee has presented at national conferences and facilitates Mental Health America’s Rural Community of Practice. She is also a graduate of the 2024 Warrenton Town Police and Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office Joint Citizens Academy.
Renee holds a B.A. in Psychology from the College of William and Mary and an M.Ed. in Counseling from the University of Virginia. She and her husband, David Norden, are proud parents of two daughters in their early 20s. In her free time, Renee enjoys gardening, hiking, and spending quality time with her family.
