WARM Board of Directors
Meet the Board
Brian Edwards, Board Chair
Brian originally hailed from Northern Virginia but fell in love with the Shenandoah Valley when he went to Bridgewater College where he earned a degree in history and political science. He also met his partner in crime, Michele, and married her shortly after graduating. Together they settled in Fishersville and then moved to Waynesboro where they raised their three children, Carly, Isaac, and Olivia. All of whom are Waynesboro High School graduates and attend or graduated from Virginia Tech.
Brian spent 26 years as a police officer for the Waynesboro Police Department and retired at the rank of sergeant. In 2019, he became a school teacher for Waynesboro and Augusta County Public Schools. He has found his passion in teaching math to high school and middle school students at Valley Academy Alternative School in Fishersville. He is a member of Fishersville United Methodist Church where he has served in many capacities. He also served two terms on the Waynesboro School Board and various other local commissions and advisory boards.
Brian’s path to WARM began in 2011 when he was working a patrol dayshift that ended with the discovery of the body of a homeless man who had been bludgeoned to death by two other homeless men and discarded like trash in the South River. As a devout community activist, Brian joined his church in being one of the first churches to host the Cold Weather Shelter. He spent many nights fellowshipping with our unsheltered neighbors, many of whom he had had interactions with as a police officer. “All people are worthy of God’s love which is manifested in shelter, food, warmth, and being treated as a human.” Brian joined the WARM Board of Directors in 2015 and has served as board chair since 2018.
Richard Kane, Vice Chairman
Raised as an “Army brat,” Rick has had plenty of experience with moving before settling permanently in Waynesboro over 45 years ago. With his wife Mary, they raised 3 children and have 10 grandchildren.
Rick graduated with distinction with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Virginia Tech in 1977. In 1981, he entered the real estate industry and was awarded the local Rookie Realtor of the Year award, and in 1982, 1983, and 1984 the Realtor of the Year award. In 1985, he was recognized on the Virginia Association of Realtors Honor Board as President of the local association. The next year, he received the 1986 Salesman of the Year and has served twice as the local association president.
He is a 1985 Graduate of the Realtors Institute (GRI) and also was awarded the Certified Residential Specialist CRS designation in 1985. This designation represents that he has had additional education and experience which places him in the top 5% of all U. S. Realtors. He received his Broker’s License in 1990, the Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) designation in 2008, the Certified Green Professional in 2009 and A-REO designation in 2011.
In 1990, after seeing the movie, “Field of Dreams,” Rick realized that although very successful in real estate, he missed deigning homes. For the next 20 years he was the Vice-President of Westhills Company, the area’s premier builder, and Vice President –Broker of Westhills Ltd. REALTORS, which allowed him to practice both. He has deigned approximately 175 homes over the years. He was voted the 2010 Valley’s favorite Builder and also the 2010 Valley’s Favorite Real Estate Agent by the News-Virginian. With the decline of the building industry he purchased Westhills Ltd REALTORS in November of 2010.
His background in architecture is a real asset in his real estate career. Extensive knowledge of construction and design afford him opportunities to offer constructive criticism of homes being considered by his clients.
He believes that serving his community is a privilege and a duty. He was a Trustee of his church for 24 years and serves as the current Moderator, three time President of the Kiwanis Club, Kiwanian of the Year 2013 and 2014, Non–Rotarian Vocational Service Award recipient, former firefighter, soccer and baseball coach, and a three time president of the Augusta Homebuilders. He is a Past Chair and current Vice-Chair of the Waynesboro Area Refuge Ministry (WARM) which provides services and shelter to the area’s homeless community. He has been named to the Community Foundation Board of the Central Blue Ridge Board in 2024.
Sharon Wood, Treasurer
Proud to be a native of Augusta County, Sharon finds being involved in organizations that reach out to help others is where she wants to spend her time in serving her community. As soon as Sharon learned of the WARM organization being formed, she knew this was an organization she wanted to support. In 2014 she joined the WARM board and has served as the treasurer throughout her time with WARM. In addition to serving on the board, she has been instrumental in bringing her church, Tinkling Spring Presbyterian, into a partnership with WARM as they co-sponsor the Presbyterian Room in the Ruth Anderson WARM House and also serve as a host for the Cold Weather Shelter. Sharon has spent nights at the shelter, prepared meals, interacted at the zig-saw puzzle table with WARM guests, all while serving as the Tinkling Spring WARM co-coordinator since the first year the church hosted the shelter.
Sharon holds an associate degree from Blue Ridge Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Mennonite College. Sharon has utilized her education in business/accounting throughout her long, dedicated career to RAHE Inc. where she serves as Secretary/Treasurer.
Sharon is married to Roger and they have one son, Tyler, and a daughter-in-law, Sarah. When not busy working or volunteering, Sharon enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, and reading.
Susan Myers, Secretary
Susan was born in Milwaukee, WI and grew up an Air Force brat – moving numerous times. She graduated with a BS from the University of Southern Mississippi and obtained her JD from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. Susan’s career was with State Farm Insurance; she retired as a Claims Team Manager in 2020. She is married to Michael (Mike) Myers and after almost 20 years, they finally moved “over the mountain” to Waynesboro from Greenwood in 2023.
Susan and her husband, Michael (Mike) are active members of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church here in Waynesboro. Susan is an active member of Church Council, the Finance Committee, Adult Choir, and Altar Guild; she participates in various activities and outreach programs. She is a former Chair of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Board of Directors. In 2023, she worked with others from area churches to organize and form HERO of Waynesboro.
Susan and Mike are the Co-Founders of Raising Resources for Readers (3Rs) which has been helping local students retain and strengthen reading skills since 2014.
Susan first came to WARM as the Coordinator of the Cold Weather Shelter for Grace ELC in 2022 when WARM reopened the CWS after COVID. She is thrilled to be a member of the Board and is currently serving as Secretary of the Board and a member of the Events Committee.
Tom Brown, Director
Tom is an alumnus of Virginia Tech with a degree in engineering and was employed by DuPont for 31 years. He has been very active in the community for many years and has held leadership positions in such organizations as Big Brothers/Big Sisters (was the founder of this organization), Arc of Augusta, United Way (chair of two campaigns and United Way asked DuPont to have him chair their Community Campaign), RiverFest, Dogwood Place, Waynesboro Senior Center, Camp Virginia Jaycee, Rotary, WARM, and the Wayne Theatre Alliance. He received the distinguished Salvation Army’s Overton Award and has been named one of five Outstanding Young Men of Virginia. He is an active member of Main Street United Methodist Church and has held numerous leadership roles. While in the Marine Corp, he received the, “Marine of the Quarter” in his command and the Navy’s Achievement Medal. He was the first to be awarded Honorary Lifetime member of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters. In the Jaycees, he held leadership roles as local President, State Regional Vice President, was named President of the Year and was given the award Life Membership in the Virginia Jaycees and Senatorship in the United States Jaycees. Tom was a leader in building the handicap Fishing Pier in Ridgeview Park and has led the scholarship committee many years both at DuPont and in Rotary. Tom went into Real Estate in 2004 and is an agent with Westhills Ltd Realtors. Tom has received numerous awards in the Real Estate business including voted “2007 Valley’s Favorite Realtor” by area residents, the “Presidential Award of Excellence” by Local Real Estate Board most years in the business, and awarded The News Virginian’s “Community Involvement Award”.
Mary E. Hunt Cowherd, Director
Mary Cowherd is a dedicated tax and accounting professional whose passion for her work is matched only by her love for her Augusta County community, where she has lived for 36 years. Nine years ago, she co-founded Hunt & Associate, LLC, a tax and accounting firm in Stuarts Draft, Virginia, alongside her mother, Theresa Hunt, CPA. This family-run business reflects Mary’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to delivering exceptional financial services to her clients.
Mary holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting and business management from Mary Baldwin University, equipping her with the knowledge and skills to excel in her field. In 2016, she became an enrolled agent, a credential that allows her to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This achievement underscores her dedication to her clients, as she works hard to save them money and navigate complex tax matters on their behalf.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Mary is deeply involved in her community. For the past seven years, she has served as the Treasurer of the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office Foundation, a role that highlights her financial expertise. She also contributes her leadership and insights as a member of the Advisory Board of First Bank.
Recently, Mary expanded her community involvement by joining the board of WARM. She is enthusiastic about this new opportunity and looks forward to serving such a wonderful organization while continuing to help people in need.
Mary Cowherd’s blend of professional excellence, client-focused service, and community involvement makes her a trusted and respected figure in Augusta County. Whether she’s managing finances at Hunt & Associate or contributing to local initiatives.
Jeff Loomis, Director
I came to Waynesboro in 1985, shortly out of college, for a 6 month IT assignment at the DuPont plant and either did a really good or really bad job as I have been here ever since! I married my beautiful wife Cathy in 1989 and we have three kids who are all grown and in the working world but thankfully all still live in Virginia.
Over the past 40 years, I have tried to serve the community in many ways, starting with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, then Boy Scouts (serving as committee chair as well as other roles), Shenandoah Valley Stargazers (past president), Shenandoah Marlins swim club (SMAC) board, Westminster Presbyterian church (where I have served on the session and as a trustee), then most recently working with the Boys and Girls Club of Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta county, where I served on their board for 6 years and am still very active as an ex-officio board member and volunteer.
This past December (2024) I made the decision, after 40+ years working in industry, to retire from full time paid employment and devote more of my time to volunteering. As part of this effort, I joined the WARM board officially in February of 2025 (having worked with WARM in the past through Westminster Presbyterian Church). I am very excited to get to work more closely with the WARM board and all of the great WARM staff in the future!
Patty Quillen, Director
My name is Patricia (Patty) Quillen. I was born in Harrisonburg and raised in Mt. Sidney. I was the youngest of 9 children by my mother and 10 children by my father. I had 6 older brothers and 2 older sisters by my mother. My half sister is two months older than I am. I did not know about my half sister until I was an adult, but we have become very close.
After high school, I attended BRCC and received an associates degree in mental health. I started employment at Western State Hospital as a Mental Health Worker. I left WSH to finish my undergraduate degree at Mary Baldwin College and worked as a counselor at a halfway house for two years. I returned to WSH as a Social Worker. In 1983 I received a stipend from WSH and attended VCU to complete my masters degree in social work with an emphasis in mental health. About 3 years later I completed the exam and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I worked at WSH for 3 more years and left to work in the medical field. In the medical field I worked in a hospital, dialysis, hospice and home health. My last 9 years of employment were as a school social worker in the special education department at Rockingham County Public Schools.
My hobbies include traveling, walking, reading, visiting my children and my family. I have a home on the bay in North Carolina where I have many nieces and nephews that I visit often. I have two children. My daughter, Ginna is married to Drew Lewis and lives in Wilson, NC. She is an Athletic Trainer and is the head of the Athletic Training Department at Barton College. My son Nicholas lives with his significant other of 10 years, Christina Swanson, and recently became employed with the Dept. of Defense in IT. They reside in Richmond.
The reason I chose to be a part of WARM is that I could have been a homeless child myself, if not for the financial support from my aunt who lived with us and also from my older siblings. My father was absent most of my life and rarely supported us financially. We grew up poor and grew everything we ate, including meat. My mother made most of our clothes. Despite being poor I had a very happy childhood and was well loved by my mother, aunt and siblings.
Lisa Wade, Director
Lisa was born in Washington D.C. and was raised in Rockville, MD. James Madison University brought her to the Shenandoah Valley in 1981, and it quickly became her home.
She received a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from JMU, and her Masters and Doctoral work was completed at University of Virginia. Lisa was a teacher and reading specialist for Waynesboro City School for 32 years before retiring. She and her husband Bud have 4 children and 4 grandchildren.
As a lifelong active church member, Lisa has always had a heart for helping others, and joining the board of WARM has been a natural extension of that commitment. It has truly been a blessing to her to be part of such a dedicated and caring team.