Regina Roberts moved to Tazewell County at age six. She has been a resident for 36 years. As a registered nurse, a certified natural health professional, and a classical educator sh has been a life long public servant. Together with her husband Aaron Roberts, they have been involved in ministry locally, and internationally. Homeschooling their three children for nearly twenty years she has seen the importance of reading and the vital impact of great books. Truly, she has observed that ‘readers make leaders’. She is committed to the library at the heart and soul Tazewell County. Happily, she has served on the TCPL board for the last three and a half years. Elected chair in 2017, over the Library board, she seeks to inspire the community to love learning. Over those two years she has seen a lot of changes in administration and leadership. She looks forward in anticipation for the coming years, partnering with the new Director: Erica Hall.

Connie Bailey is a freelance writer, editor and journalist. She is currently managing her Bluberry Goat Haven farm, which provides the inspiration for her goat stories and goat greeting cards. She is also employed as a substitute teacher in the Tazewell County Public School system. Her home is listed within the Airbnb community and she has enjoyed hosting tourists to Tazewell County from more than a dozen countries. She spent 15 years as a science writer, project manager and communications specialist for the U. S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory in Ames, Iowa before returning to her native Tazewell County in the late 1990s. She was a full-time caregiver for her parents for a lengthy period and later resumed her writing as a reporter for the Tazewell County Free Press. She earned a B.S. in journalism from Iowa State University in 1982 with partial graduate work in public relations.

Ms. Bailey grew up in Bluefield, Va., graduated from Graham High School, and holds fond memories of the Tazewell County Bookmobile that brought books to her neighborhood. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading poetry, hiking, and participating in her church and the recovery community.

Dr. Thomas Brewster comes to Bluefield College with 25 years of experience in the field of education. Dr. Brewster’s career in public education includes serving as a high school social studies teacher, assistant principal, high school principal, university professor, assessment director, student service coordinator, deputy superintendent, and superintendent of schools.

Dr. Brewster served as the Superintendent of Pulaski County Public Schools from August 2012 -June 2016. During Dr. Brewster’s tenure, Pulaski County Public Schools became one of the most progressive school divisions in the state, creating the New River Valley’s first Governor’s STEM Academy, designing a comprehensive K12 student support system, securing high-powered broadband access throughout the district, and increasing the number of advanced placement, dual enrollment, and workforce training opportunities for all students. During Brewster’s tenure, Pulaski County Public Schools celebrated their first Distinguished Title I and Blue Ribbon schools and recognized as a Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports (VTSS) “Trailblazer” school division for their innovation and commitment to the success of all their students.

In 2013 with the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce selected Brewster as their Business Executive of the Year, and in the same year received the Bluefield College Alumni of the Year award. Brewster is a member of both the Pulaski County Career and Technical Center’s Wall of Honor and the Tazewell High School Hall of Fame.

In 2006, Governor Tim Kaine appointed Dr. Brewster to a term on the Virginia State Board of Education. In 2013, Governor Terry McAuliffe appointed him to the Virginia State Community College Board where he’s chaired the Academic, Workforce, and Student Services and Facilities Committees. He recently served as Chair of the Bluefield College Board of Trustees. Dr. Brewster now serves on the Radford University Board of Visitors, appointed by Governor Ralph Northam. Dr. Brewster also serves on the Rural Education Laboratory Appalachia Board of Directors, and the Making Foundation in Roanoke. Brewster also works as the Director of External Affairs for Communities in Schools of Virginia, a dropout prevention organization headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Brewster also served his community as a two-time member of the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors, representing the northern district.