The Clarke County Education Foundation (CCEF) is thrilled to introduce its incoming Board of Directors and Officers for the 2024-2025 term, commencing on July 1, 2024.

New members joining the board include:

Joshua Dulaney

Raised in Berryville and a 2014 graduate of Clarke County High School, Joshua Dulaney is a lifelong fan of the Clarke County school system. Josh was an all-state linebacker and an active member of the community during his time at Clarke County. Josh went on to continue his athletic career at William & Mary, where he pursued a Master’s in Special Education and met his now wife, Madeline. After serving a few years in education, Josh is currently a Project Manager at Peraton where he oversees the Data Governance and Analytics team for the U.S. Department of Treasury. Josh is genuinely enthusiastic about the chance to contribute to the Clarke community that has always embraced him as family.

Ryan Gilpin

A native of Clarke County and alumni of Clarke County High School, Ryan embarked on her educational journey after graduating with a BA in Elementary Education from Wheelock College in 2002. During her tenure at Wheelock, Ryan served with Americorps Jumpstart for Young Children, enriching early childhood education at Jamaica Plain Head Start. Ryan’s teaching career flourished, culminating in her role as a Head Start teacher in Lancaster, PA, where she was lauded for her contributions to the Early Reading First program. Returning to the Shenandoah Valley in 2008, Ryan joined Powhatan School and continues to teach there as a pre-k teacher.  In 2015 Ryan published her first book, Teaching Students to Conduct Short Research Projects, through Scholastic Inc. In 2023 she earned her Social-Emotional Learning Specialist certification through Rutgers University and is currently working towards becoming a Responsive Classroom certified teacher. She also served on The Friends of the Handley Library board for 13 years.

Ryan currently lives in Berryville with her husband Billy, also CCHS ‘98, and son Lawrence, an avid golfer, who is projected to be a member of the CCHS Class of 2033! Ryan has always been grateful for her excellent educational experience in Clarke County and is excited to give back to this wonderful community and school system.

Chris “Topher” Liggett

A graduate of Clarke County High School in 2008, where he excelled as football team captain and participated in Boy’s State, Chris pursued further education at West Point. Commissioned as an infantry officer in 2012, he served with distinction in deployments to Afghanistan and Africa, specializing in special operations. After a fulfilling career in the Army, Chris now resides on his family farm in Clarke and contributes to the National Nuclear Security Administration as a program analyst. With his wife Steph and their two children, Meredith and Carter, Chris eagerly anticipates becoming an integral part of the community, lending a helping hand and fostering positive change.

Steph Liggett

Originally from a small town in Georgia, Steph became part of the Liggett family in 2013. Frequent visits to Clarke County endeared her to the community, culminating in her recent relocation to Berryville with her husband Chris and their children, who are enrolled in the county’s public schools. With an extensive background in elementary education, Steph is passionate about making learning enjoyable. Currently employed as an instructional design specialist at Thayer Leadership, she designs curriculum for leadership programs within the business sector. Steph is thrilled to call Clarke County home and eagerly embraces the opportunity to contribute to the continued success of its educational institutions.

These exceptional individuals complement our elected officers, including Jon Erickson (President), Turner Kobayashi (Vice-President), Kathy Hudson (Secretary), and Ian Lobo (Treasurer). Additionally, the 2024-2025 board comprises esteemed members Stacey Ellis, Dr. Camrynn Fausey, Sarah Lobo, Kari Reed, Cathy Ruszczyk, Wes Schoeb, and Rebecca Sumption.

As we welcome new members, we extend heartfelt gratitude to outgoing board members Patricia Castelhano and Loretta Stem, who have dedicated nine years of service to the CCEF. Their unwavering commitment and dedication have left an indelible mark on our organization, and they will be sincerely missed.


About the Clarke County Education Foundation, Inc.:

Established in 1991, the Clarke County Education Foundation (CCEF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to providing private support to the Clarke County (Virginia) Public Schools. Serving as an independent public charity, the foundation strives to enhance educational opportunities for students and staff within the county school system by fostering private support and engagement.

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