Staff

Allison Wingfield, Executive Director

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Allison Wingfield is our Executive Director and was hired in February 2002 as Rush Homes’ first full-time employee.  She oversees the organization including fundraising, budgeting, board relations, human resources, marketing, and strategic planning.  Allison has been involved in the affordable housing field since 2000, starting out as an intern with the Lynchburg Neighborhood Development Foundation. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Business Administration from Lynchburg College and is a certified Housing Development Finance Professional. She is a graduate of the Leadership Lynchburg program and has served on the board of directors for Interfaith Outreach Association and Bedford Youth Focus. Allison currently serves as the chairperson of the Homeless and Housing Coalition of Central Virginia. Allison enjoys running and spending time with her family.

Jeff Smith, Assistant Director

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Jeff Smith is our Assistant Director and is responsible for project development, management, and compliance as well as assisting in fundraising efforts. Jeff’s wide-ranging scholarly and professional background exemplifies his concerns for humanitarian causes, justice, a healthy environment, and healing.  Jeff earned his Bachelor’s degree in physics from Emory & Henry College.  After spending 11 years in the wire and cable industry as a product engineer, then the pharmaceutical industry as a quality engineer and middle manager, Jeff enrolled in Lynchburg College and earned his MEd in Agency Counseling.  He has worked for Central Virginia Community Services, Greater Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity, and the 500 Year Forest Foundation.  Jeff is from rural southwest Virginia where he grew up on a small farm. He participates in a spiritual community, is an active member of the Sierra Club, and is a former board member of the Central Virginia Land Conservancy.  Jeff loves to travel with his beloved wife Mary, backpack, get out with his dog Sandy, work on his house, and has been known to ride his bike to work once in a while.

Chris Howell Program Manager

Chris Howell is our Program Manager as of March 2012. She is responsible for property management including overseeing maintenance, income verification, leasing and compliance. She will also be assisting in fundraising, volunteer coordination and special programs. Chris has been a part of Rush Homes for many years as a volunteer and advisor. The mission of providing affordable and accessible housing is dear to her heart – she was a friend of Mabel and James Rush when they served Madison Heights United Methodist Church and knows first-hand how deeply Mabel wanted to see the dream of a home for Jimmy come true. She is an active community volunteer through Kiwanis, Interfaith Outreach Association, the Rivermont Area Emergency Food Pantry and Centenary UMC. In her quiet time she likes to canoe on the James, read on the beach and talk to her unresponsive cat.

Frances Beverly, Receptionist

Frances Beverly is our receptionist and joined the Rush Homes team in January 2011 through the SCSEP Goodwill training program. She graduated from Dunbar High School in 1964. She was a member of the National Honor Society and ranked number five in her graduating class. She also attended Hampton University. Frances was employed by Suntrust Bank; then United VA Bank in 1966. Her banking career ended with retirement in May 2007 where she held the title of Certified Teller II. Frances now serves as a Minister at the Fellowship Church of Christ in Lynchburg. She is also a member of the Praise and Worship Team and is very active in the Prayer Ministry. Her interests involve helping others and desiring to see others succeed in life. Frances enjoys spending time with her family including her husband, Kenny and her grandchildren, Trinity, Morgan and Terrance. Her favorite hobbies include floral arranging, wedding planning and decorating.