Background
Understanding how local decisions are made and who is making them is fundamental to successful community engagement and project approval. Knowing who the decision-makers are and what they value gives a developer the necessary background for persuasive and constructive engagement with officials.
Axton Solar spans two county jurisdictions–Henry and Pittsylvania, so this Assessment includes biographies of key decision makers and lists of important contacts for the company to develop relationships with or awareness of. While there appears to be some feuding between members of the Boards of Supervisors, Axton should assume that their conversations are not happening in a vacuum and decisions made in one county will inform or impact decisions in the other.
Henry County
County Commissioners (Board of Supervisors) Henry County
The Board of Supervisors for Henry County is a six-member, quasi-executive and legislative body responsible for governing the county. The Code of Virginia law provides for wide county authorities. The board’s districts were redrawn after the 2020 Census which revealed a net loss of 3,203 residents in the last decade, requiring district line adjustments, however, Iriswood District remained the same.
Jim Adams, Chairman (Blackberry District):
jadams@co.henry.va.us | (276) 629-8543
Background: Adams has served on the Board of Supervisors since 2002, with his current term expiring December 31, 2025. He also serves on the Executive Board and is Chairman of the West Piedmont Planning District Commission, as Chairman of the regional Transportation Technical Advisory Committee. And he previously served on the Henry County Board of Zoning Appeals, the Henry County Schools Facilities Improvement Committee, and the Executive Board of the Smart Beginning for Early Childhood Development.
Adams is a member of the Sanville Ruritan Club since 1979, serving as Zone 1 & 3 Governor as well as several other club offices. He is a member and serves on the Board of Directors of the Bassett Kiwanis Club, Patrick Henry Volunteer Fire Department, Marc Workshop and Habitat for Humanity. He is a member at Stella Christian Church. Adams is the branch manager and oversees procurement for Tarheel Paper and Supply in Martinsville.
Relevant History/Intel:
In January 2021, the county issued a press release announcing Advance Energy Solutions, Inc. purchased a building in Ridgeway that it was retrofitting into a solar and wind protection control panel assembly plant. Adams statement said, “We are extremely happy to welcome Advance Energy Solutions to Henry County. We continue to diversify our economy and provide additional opportunities for our residents, and we look forward to working with Mr. Selvaraj as his business grows.”
Joe Bryant, Vice-Chairman (Collinsville District):
jbryant@co.henry.va.us | (276) 647-3522 or (276) 252-5210
Background: Bryant joined the Board of Supervisors on January 1, 2010, and his current term will expire on December 31, 2025. Bryant also serves on the Board of Directors of the Fieldale-Collinsville Rescue Squad; the Martinsville-Henry County Crime Stoppers; and the Mount Olivet Ruritan Club; and is a member of the Church of Christ and served in the United States Army Reserves for 20 years.
He is a graduate of Laurel Park High School (1974) and is President of Bryant Radio Supply, Inc., of Collinsville.
His self-described priorities for the county are improve job and educational opportunities.
Relevant History/Intel:
Bryant previously opposed a solar farm that was proposed to be built on the Beaver Hills Golf Club in 2020 arguing the solar farm would not have generated revenue and that the land’s value was greater than simple profit. His opposition appears circumstantial to this proposal because of the golf course’s value to local residents and the Zoning Board’s reasoning for denial of a conditional use permit.
Debra Buchanan (Horsepasture District):
dbbuchanan@comcast.net | (276) 957-1394
Background: Buchanan joined the Board of Supervisors in 1996 and her current term expires on December 31, 2023. Buchanan currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Horsepasture Rescue Squad, the Community Advisory Panel at Patrick Henry Correctional Unit #28, the Board of Local Elected Officials (LEO), and a member of the Fieldale Festival Committee. Buchanan is currently a member of the Horsepasture Ruritan Club where she has previously served on the Board of Directors and as President of the organization. Previously she served on the Henry/Martinsville Social Services Board for two terms, the Fieldale Housing Rehabilitation Board as Chairperson, and Horsepasture Rescue Squad.
Buchanan has a history of local charity—In 1996, she started the "Coat Drive for Kids" in the Horsepasture District and it has now become a County-wide outreach program that provides coats to children in need. In 2000, she started the "Shoes for the Soul" project that provides brand new tennis shoes to children in need. She attends Hillcrest Baptist Church.
Relevant History/Intel:
n/a
Garrett L. Dillard (Iriswood District):
gdillard@co.henry.va.us or cjdtruth09@gmail.com | (336) 253-0663
Background: Dillard joined the Board of Supervisors on January 1, 2022, and his current term expires on December 31, 2025. His race appeared to have more candidates and tighter margins than the typical commissioner race, winning by only 206 votes or 6.16% margin. Dillard earned his Master’s degree in School Administration from University of North Carolina-Greensboro in 2008. Before that, he graduated from Radford University in 1993 with a B.S. in Social Science and a teaching certificate, and Laurel Park High School in 1989. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and serves on the Piedmont Community Services Board.
Dillard started his professional career at George Washington Danville High School as a social studies teacher and an assistant basketball coach. He also taught and coached at Halifax County High School, Western Guilford High School and High Point Central High School. He was the first African American head coach at each of these three schools. He also served as an assistant principal at Page High School and principal of Bassett High School, where he became the first African American to serve in this role at Bassett. After serving as Coordinator of Regional Alternative and assistant principal of Laurel Park Middle School, he was selected as the first ever Director of Community Learning for Henry County Public Schools.
Relevant History/Intel:
The Axton Solar Project’s Henry County portions are entirely contained within the Iriswood District, making Commissioner Dillard a priority decisionmaker. Dillion’s background is in public education and he has a clear history of caring about that issue. It would be very impactful if the developer can demonstrate benefits to the local public schools, whether that is through the solar development agreement the developer strikes with the county or through a donation or grant to the local schools.
Tommy Slaughter (Reed Creek District):
tslaughter@co.henry.va.us | (276) 638-4246
Background: Slaughter joined the Board of Supervisors on January 1, 2012 and his term will expire on December 31, 2023. Slaughter previously served on the Public Service Authority Board of Directors. Mr. Slaughter is retired from the Martinsville Police Department.
Relevant History/Intel:
n/a
Ryan Zehr (Ridgeway District):
rzehr@co.henry.va.us | (276) 292-2684 or (336) 394-8229
Background: Zehr is in his first term on the Board of Supervisors which will expire on December 31, 2023.
Zehr graduated from Magna Vista High School (1998) and Virginia Tech (2002). He served in the United States Army from 2002 until 2007. During his tour of duty, he was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
Relevant History/Intel:
n/a
Relevant Local Officials Henry County
County Assessor:
County Clerk: Jennifer Ashworth, 276.634.4880 – serves citizen documents, probates wills and estates, assists Judges with courtroom proceedings. Has served as clerk since 2016.
County Treasurer: Scott Grindstaff, 276.634.4675
County Sheriff: Lane Perry, 276.656.4200
Emergency Management:
Community Development Specialist: Patricia H. Foley, pfoley@co.henry.va.us, 276. 634.4620
Director of Planning, Zoning, and Inspections: Lee Clark, .276.634.4620, leclark@co.henry.va.us
Pittsylvania County
County Commissioners Pittsylvania County
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors is a seven-member quasi-executive and legislative body of the county government. They have the power to appoint the County Administrator and pass ordinances.
There are currently multiple solar projects being developed in the county and recent guidelines were created to help promote growth and mitigate impacts.
William V. "Vic" Ingram, Chairman (Tunstall District):
Vic.Ingram@pittgov.org | (434) 770-3921
Background: Ingram was first elected in 2019 and first joined the Board of Supervisors in 2020 and his current term expired December 31, 2023. Before joining the board, he was the retired Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office Captain and opened his own private investigation service. Ingram also previously served the Westover Hills Volunteer Fire Department. After high school, Ingram joined the U.S. Air Force where he worked at Langley Air Force Base. He also sits on the Board of the West Piedmont Planning District Commission.
The focus of his 2019 campaign was improving education and public safety, as well as economic development and job creation. He called out the fact that many kids leave the region is search of job prospects.
He was centured in 2021 by the Board for sending text messages that “were construed as racist and discriminatory regarding another board member.” Ingram called the centure a “political hit job.”
Relevant History/Intel:
Ingram has suggested that he is concerned with what he views as explosive solar development in the region. However, he has reiterated that he supports the needs of farmers and landowners to develop their land to stay profitable and that moratoria (a temporary or permanent ban on certain types of development) on projects “crosses a line.”
He also supports the solar ordinance reforms of 2021, which increase setbacks and buffer requirements “so that development can happen in a way that doesn’t negatively impact surrounding property owners.”
Jessie Barksdale, Vice-Chairman (Banister District):
jessie.barksdale@pittgov.org | (434) 334-6373
Background: Barksdale re-joined the Board of Supervisors in 2022 after unseating incumbent Charles Miller by 900 votes. Backsdale was first elected in 2011 and previously served as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors before relinquishing his seat for one term. His current term will expire on December 31, 2025. The theme of his 2021 campaign was improving education funding, emergency services, and promoting economic development, agriculture, and a strong workforce.
As of Jan. 1, 2018, Barksdale ended his six-year tenure on the board of supervisors, but still served in the following capacities: Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services, Danville-Pittsylvania Smart Beginnings, Danville Regional Airport Commission, Danville Regional Foundation, Averett University Trustees and Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) Board of Directors.
Barksdale graduated from high school in New Jersey and earned a two-year degree in business administration from Taylor Business School in Philadelphia. He served in the U.S. Army and is a Vietnam veteran. After that, he worked at the Department of the Army in Alaska, the Federal Aviation Administration in Washington, DC, and returned to southern Virginia in 2003.
Relevant History/Intel:
In 2016, Barksdale supported Southern Power’s bid to construct a natural gas generator in Pittsylvania County within the Berry Hill Industrial Park calling it a large single private investment.
Robert "Bob" Warren (Chatham-Blairs District):
robert.warren@pittgov.org | (434) 770-7607
Background: Warren joined the Board of Supervisors in 2016 and his current term expires December 31, 2023. He is the owner and president of R.J. Baldwin Agency Inc., which markets and sells insurance and financial products. He was also vice president of the Danville-Pittsylvania County Community Services Board, a past president of Boys and Girls Club of Danville, and former member of the board of directors of Chatham Cares Inc., which manages the Community Center at Chatham. Warren is a former president of the Danville Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and Tuscarora Country Club, and trustee and deacon at Shermont Baptist Church. He campaigned on economic development to improve job opportunities for residents and especially youth. He specifically mentioned creating partnerships with schools like Danville Community College to develop a skilled workforce. He also advocated for longer-range capital improvement plans.
Warren was born and raised in Danville and graduation from George Washington High School in 1978. He attended Danville Community College and subsequently earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Virginia Tech in 1982.
Relevant History/Intel:
Warren has said, “We believe that our solar ordinance, which requires siting agreements and includes stringent buffering and landscaping requirements, allows solar development to happen in a way that minimizes any visual impacts and positively impacts our community.”
Ronald Scearce (Westover District):
ronald.scearce@pittgov.org | (434) 685-1843
Background: Scearce joined the Board of Supervisors in 2016 and his term expires on December 31, 2023. Scearce is a self-identified fiscal conservative and was chairman of the Danville Tea Party and a member of Pittsylvania County Republican Committee, Scearce has campaigned and raised money for local, state, and national candidates and served as delegate at GOP conventions and primaries. A theme of his campaign was government accountability and fiscal responsibility–he argued that taxes have been increased too many times. He said, “I intend to be a positive influence for not only the small business owners in the county, making it easier for them to pursue their livelihood, but to also actively seek corporations that can bring this area back to life.”
Before running for the Board, he was a government contractor at DRS Technologies. Scearce earned his associate degree in electronic systems in 2001 and graduated from George Washington High School before spending 22 years in the U.S. Air Force working in satellite communications. He attends White Oak Worship Center in Blairs.
Scearce still maintains a Facebook page.
Relevant History/Intel:
Scearce is on the record supporting landowner rights to lease their property to solar developers, as long as their are buffer zones and measures that reduce visual or nuisance impacts, seeing solar as a way to diversify the county’s economy and reduce tax burdens on residents.
Tim W. Dudley (Staunton River District):
Tim.Dudley@pittgov.org | (434) 770-3692
Background: Dudley joined the Board of Supervisors in 2022 and his term will expire on December 31, 2025.
Relevant History/Intel:
n/a
Darrell Dalton (Callands-Gretna District):
darrell.dalton@pittgov.org | (434) 334-6377
Background: Dalton joined the Board of Supervisors in 2022 and his term will expire on December 31, 2025. Dalton previously worked for the Pittsylvania County as Assistant Director of Public Works.
The central planks of Dalton’s campaign was improving education, law enforcement, public safety, and creating new economic development opportunities. According to the Star Tribune, Dalton is a cattle beef producer, so he understands and supports farmers and their needs. That is why he believes solar projects create opportunities for farmers.
Relevant History/Intel:
In addition to his comments about solar project creating opportunities for farmers, in the short time Dalton has been on the board, he has voted in favor of rezoning requests for solar development.
The Axton Solar project’s Pittsylvania County portion would be built in Dalton’s Callands-Gretna District, making Commissioner Dalton a priority decision maker.
Tim Chesher (Dan River District):
tim.chesher@pittgov.org | (434) 334-6376
Background: Chesher joined the Board of Supervisors in 2022 after unseating incumbent Joe Davis by ~800 votes. His term will expire on December 31, 2025. Chesher is a regional manager at CGL Companies according to his LinkedIn. He is an electrician by trade and previously served as the superintendent of Chatham’s Green Rock Corrections Center and a regional manager for other correctional facilities in Virginia. He also served in the U.S. Army National Guard as a generator mechanic and applied those skills at several local manufacturing facilities like the Dan River Mills and Goodyear plant. He graduated from Daville Community College in 1985. Chesher has been active in the community as a firefighter and EMT.
When asked about his concerns in the community, he wants to see more economic development that can provide opportunities for kids (young adults) to find job prospects without leaving the region. He has also elevated the importance of public safety.
Relevant History/Intel:
n/a
Relevant Local Officials Pittsylvania County
County Administrator: Clarence Monday (Interim), clarence.monday@pittgov.org, 434-432-7710. The County Administrator is essentially the County Clerk, their role is o advise on and execute the decisions of the Board of Supervisors, manage funds and personnel, and enforce regulations and ordinances.
County Assessor:
County Clerk: Mark W. Scarce, 434.432.7887
County Treasurer: Vincent Shorter, treasurer@pittgov.com, 434.432.7960
County Sheriff: Michael W. Taylor – works to promote a safe, friendly atmosphere and protect the welfare of Pittsylvania County residents. Has been in office since 2008.
Emergency Management: Chris Slemp, Public Safety Director, 434.432.7939 – The Pittsylvania County Public Safety Department coordinates emergency management and public safety services, including the fire rescue squad and EMS team.
Community Development Director: Emily Ragsdale, Emily.Ragsdale@pittgov.org; Emily has worked with other solar developers on solar siting agreements and has spoken to the media optimistically when projects are proactively engaged and flexible with the county. See more about community development.
