Meet the UUC Board for 2024-2025

President: Laura Robinson joined UUC in 2016. She has served as a greeter since 2017 and enjoys participating in UUC’s grounds workdays, social action activities, and enrichment programs. She is a strong advocate of UUC’s commitment to building community, especially through its connection activities and mental health advocacy. Laura moved to the New River Valley in 1985. Her years of experience with  higher education and nonprofit organizations have provided her with an appreciation for teamwork. Laura works in administration at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Mary Washington and an M.B.A. with a concentration in human resources from Averett University. Laura’s interests include mushroom hunting, drawing, and taking her dog on adventures. 

President-Elect: Chris Long started attending UUC in late 2021 and has been a volunteer for almost the entire time he has been attending. Whether working with the DLFD as an RE teacher or assistant, serving on the Finance and Stewardship committees, or attending UUYA or Quarterlifer events, he is involved is as many activities as he can. His most notable volunteering success so far has been as chair of the Auction committee, fostering connection while also raising funds for the UUC. His favorite part about his time at the UUC is having found a loving community which helps to give him purpose. Chris works as a senior account services representative at National Bank of Blacksburg. He has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Virginia Tech and hopes to eventually return for more. Chris’s interests include kayaking, content creation, and spending time with friends.

Treasurer: Wayne Neu has been a part of UUC since the early 1990s. His service started with performing many small tasks, and as he became more engaged and more attached to UUC, he served in a number of other capacities. He’s sung in the choir and operated the sound/recording equipment. He served as auctioneer for many of our auctions. He’s served on the Finance, Long-Range Planning, and Stewardship committees and was a part of the task force that raised funds for our building expansion. Wayne served twice on the Board as a member-at-large and again as President-Elect and then as President.

Secretary: Beth McClellan 

Member-at-Large: Margo Walter is a past president of the UUC Board, has served on the Committee on Ministries, and was instrumental in founding UUC’s Mental Health Justice Ministry, which led to establishing the current New River Valley affiliate of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) for which she served as Program Coordinator. In addition to serving on the board, she currently enjoys teaching Religious Education classes.

Margo is a retired Licensed Professional Counselor and spent over two decades gratefully listening to hundreds of clients share their stories. She has published editorials in trade journals, newspaper articles, letters to the editor, stories in recovery magazines, and a book, Are You My Father? She has been breeding Labrador Retrievers for twenty-four years, training many to become Therapy Dogs, and her Labradoodle, Chloe, and Bernedoodle, Carly, are continuing in the tradition. She is an avid golfer, loves gardening, kayaking, and canoeing. Being a grandmother completes her life. She and her husband Chris live on a small farm in Giles County.  They have two goats and a Maine Coon cat. 

Member-at-Large: Joseph Cooley is an accomplished architect currently working at Virginia Tech. With a profound expertise in accessible architecture, Joseph brings over 30 years of experience as a Unitarian Universalist, including three years of active involvement with our congregation. Joseph is a member of the UUC Safety Committee and is working towards ensuring the safety and well-being of our community.

Originally from Western New York, Joseph has two grown children and is married to Robin, also a member of UUC. Beyond his professional achievements, he is passionate about various forms of art, such as drawing, painting, and glass art. His architectural background provides him with a unique blend of analytical skills and imaginative vision, which will be invaluable in his role on the board.

Member-at-Large: Cassy Kost and her two children have attended the UUC since spring 2018. She enjoys participating in UUC grounds work, attending spiritual based workshops and gatherings, as well as family events. She works at Virginia Tech in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), and believes in the importance of emphasizing these and UUC values in all spaces, while strengthening community. Additionally, she serves as a member on the Gifted Advisory Committee (GAC) for Montgomery County Public Schools, and as a leader for local Girl Scouts. In her free time, Cassy enjoys spending time with her children, and dogs, and exploring the outdoors.