Board of Commissioners

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Dr. Gooden is a Visiting Scholar in Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University’s iCube Institute (Institute for Inclusion, Inquiry, and Innovation). His focus is on sustainable food access.

Gooden has nearly 20 years of policy experience with governmental agencies in the areas of community development, affordable housing, transportation, and economic development.

He is the former Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry for the Commonwealth of Virginia, serving under Governor Terry McAuliffe. In this role he provided strategic vision, support, and advocacy for two of Virginia’s largest private industries, agriculture, and forestry and well as provided oversight and policy guidance for three state agencies—the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Virginia Department of Forestry and Virginia Racing Commission.

His professional interest and expertise involve working in an innovative and collaborative environment to help promote inclusive, equitable and sustainable food systems, good government, agriculture policy, public health, community economic development, and wealth-building strategies in minority and underserved communities.

Gooden has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Virginia Tech, a Master of Social Work from Syracuse University, a Master of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health from University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work from the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill.

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Mr. Hardiman is a government relations professional with more than a decade of experience.  His career includes advocacy for housing, development, and construction issues. He is a former lobbyist and currently serves as Principal for his firm, Hardiman Advisors. Prior to becoming self-employed, he was Senior Government Relations Manager for Genworth Financial with responsibility for all 50 states. Before joining Genworth, he served as Director of Government Affairs for Luck Companies focusing on state and federal transportation funding and policy, economic development, and local land use issues. Mr. Barrett has also worked for a variety of state trade associations covering diverse topics from broadcast television to home construction.

Mr. Barrett received a B.A. from the University of Virginia with a double concentration in Economics and American Politics.

Mr. Barrett serves as the chairperson of the Virginia Solar Energy Development and Energy Storage Authority and previously served as the chairperson of the Transportation and Infrastructure sub-committee of the Greater Richmond Chamber’s Government Relations Committee.

Barrett and his wife Helen live in the City of Richmond’s Battery Park neighborhood with their daughter. He is a lifelong resident of Virginia and has spent time living and working in Richmond, Charlottesville, and Northern Virginia.

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Ms. Blount has served her community as a resident of Richmond for over 13 years as the Creator and Director of several support groups, a PTA President, a Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children, a Community Advocate and Resource Center Specialist doing Healthcare administration for the Richmond City Health District, served her country as an AmeriCorps member at Embrace Richmond, interned at Central Virginia Legal Aid Society before earning a degree in Paralegal Studies at Bryant & Stratton College, served as a member of CVLAS Client Council, the 7th District Health & Wellness Initiative, participated in and supported many programs of the Peter Paul Development Center, and now appointed by the Richmond City Council to serve on the Board of Commissioners for the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

Blount holds many certificates in allied health, case management, mental health, and human services. Blount is a PTA Executive Board member, a Richmond Community High School Board member, working full time and always continuing her education, all while building a nonprofit to serve an underserved community. Veronica is most proud of her role as Momager to her incredible daughter.

Mr. Johnson currently serves as a mentor to at-risk males. He is a current member of the Metropolitan Day School, a private, alternative school with an intensive and highly structured curriculum that serves the needs of students with specific disabilities. He is a former zoning administrator for Hanover County and served as Richmond City council member from 1998 to 2004. He is a former Board Chairman of the Neighborhood Housing Services of Richmond Inc, a non-profit organization created specifically to present opportunities for low and moderate-income families preparing to purchase affordable homes. A Richmond native, he attended Armstrong Kennedy High School and currently resides in the city’s 6^th council district. Mr. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Studies and Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University, and an Assessment Administration Specialist designation from J. Sargeant Reynolds.

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Ms. Pitchford, a resident of public housing for more than 20 years, brings extensive experience as a community advocate and volunteer. Currently serving as Treasurer of the Gilpin Court Tenant Council, she is active in several organizations, including the Historic Jackson Ward Association, the George Washington Carver Elementary School Parent Teacher Association, Healthy Start RVA, STEP (Strategies to Elevate People) Jobs for Life, and the Richmond Tenant Organization. She studied at Colorado Technical University.

Ms. Shelton is the Founder and Executive Director of Hillside Court Partnership, a Certified Community Health Worker Senior for Virginia Department of Health/Richmond City Health Department, Tenant Council President of Hillside Court, and the Vice President for Richmond Tenant Organization (RTO). She has launched more than 14 groups and teams in Hillside and has encouraged members of the community to know their worth and rights, one at a time. Ms. Shelton has served on various boards to include the Maggie L. Walker Poverty Board, RVA Thrives, Central VA Legal Aid Society Client Council (CVLASCC),  and the National Low-Income Housing Coalition. She is a graduate of Louisa County High School.