VPA welcomes new executive director

Betsy Edwards

The Virginia Press Association Board of Directors has hired Betsy Edwards of Goochland as VPA's new executive director.

Edwards was most recently director of communications for ChildFund International.

Previously she served as director of development with Preservation Virginia and ACLU-Virginia; executive director for the Virginia Fair Trial Project; and marketing/public relations editor and writer for McGuire Woods LLP.

Edwards is working with Ginger Stanley and VPA staff for a smooth transition. Stanley will retire on June 30, and Edwards will be executive director beginning July 1.

"The staff and I are excited to welcome Betsy into the VPA family," Stanley said. "We will work hard over the next six weeks for a smooth and seamless transition. This is the perfect time for a management change as July 1 begins a new fiscal year, a new budget and a new board of directors."

Edwards was selected from more than 60 applicants in a months-long hiring search.

"It is an honor to be able to work with the VPA board and staff to continue the important work that the association has undertaken for the past 135 years," Edwards said. "Protecting the freedom of the press, providing access to government, and keeping newspapers strong and financially healthy will be among my top priorities."

Spearheading the search team were the VPA Executive Committee, consisting of board officers, and the Futures Committee, consisting of past board presidents. Each unanimously brought Edwards forward as the top choice throughout the process.

Her experience in communications, government relations and fund-raising over more than 20 years in association work made her a strong candidate. She has extensive knowledge of Virginia's Freedom of Information Act, plus lobbying experience with state bar associations, the Virginia Attorney General's office, the governor's office, and the state Supreme Court. In her legal work she lobbied the Virginia General Assembly to obtain $12 million for indigent defense – a multi-year effort Edwards calls one of her proudest accomplishments.

In addition, Edwards has led membership services, events and conferences, and has managed donor fund-raising efforts.

She has worked in every county across Virginia, engaging communities in everything from advocacy training to consensus building.

Incoming VPA board president Anne Adams felt confident in the board's decision. "I invite VPA members to join us in welcoming Betsy aboard," she said. "This will undoubtedly be one of the toughest transitions for VPA in decades, as Ginger has dedicated her life to our organization and her leadership has been tremendous. But the professionalism of VPA's veteran staff, coupled with Ginger's sound leadership and Betsy's enthusiasm, will keep VPA operating smoothly as we mark the end of an era, and usher in a new one."