Rachel Weatherby
Administrative Assistant

Year I Joined the VBA: 2024

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? Starting this job! I’m still learning so much every day, but I’ve really enjoyed getting to know everyone here. I’m learning so much about an industry I knew so little about, it’s been very exciting!

Favorite VBA event or memory: I’ve only been here for a month, but I really enjoyed Banker Day! It was great getting to meet all of the bankers that the VBA advocates so heavily for, and it was great seeing everyone come together for a shared passion!

• Favorite song or musical artist? I like a variety of different music, but I really enjoy Foo Fighters, Radiohead, The Cranberries, Soccer Mommy, etc. The list goes on!
• Favorite Podcast? And That’s Why We Drink is a great one if you like ghost stories and true crime!
• Favorite Book? Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
• Favorite TV Show? I love anything heartfelt and animated. Bojack Horseman, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Bob’s Burgers, and a variety of different anime!
• Favorite Movie? Coraline and Theatre Camp have been some of my favorites recently!
• What is your secret weapon? I’m very crafty! I can pick up most crafting skills quite easily: embroidery, sewing, cooking/baking, paper crafts, painting, etc. I’m convinced it’s genetic – my mom is the same exact way!
• I always start my day with…Feeding my cat, Venus. She can be very demanding!
• How would you spend one million dollars? I’d try to buy a condo in New York. It’s my dream to see all of the shows in the current Broadway season, and then make my predictions for the Tony Awards!
• What is the top thing still left on your bucket list? Being cast in an animated TV show/movie for voiceover! I’d love to be cast in something like the shows I listed earlier, they’re my favorite for a reason!
• What would someone be surprised to learn about you? I’m an actor during the time I’m away from the VBA! I’m constantly auditioning, whether that’s for stage productions located here in Richmond or for voiceover! I have an entire studio setup in my apartment for my voiceover work.

Michele Dunn
Event Planner

Year I Joined the VBA: 2023

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? Learning about Bank School and helping with the 2024 program.

Favorite VBA event or memory: The 2023 Women in Banking Conference! 

• Favorite song or musical artist? Mr. Blue Sky by ELO
• Favorite Book? I Toto, the story of Terry who played Toto in The Wizard of Oz
• Favorite TV Show? Seinfeld
• Favorite Movie? Just Friends​
• I always start my day with…Coffee
• Favorite weekend activity: Spending time with my grandchildren
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? My daughter
• If you could host a talk show, who would be your first guest? Jerry Seinfeld
• What would someone be surprised to learn about you? I have five rescue dogs

Bruce Whitehurst
President & CEO

Year I Joined the VBA: 1993

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? Our joint Convention with the Maryland Bankers Association this June.

Favorite VBA event or memory: So many! Two highlights were the VBA’s 125th anniversary celebrations in June and October of 2018.

• Favorite song or musical artist? All kinds of music; currently listening to a lot of jazz
• Favorite Podcast? Spotify Daily Drive
• Favorite Book? Most impactful: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
• Favorite TV Show? Ted Lasso
• Favorite Movie? The Holiday
• I always start my day with…Exercise
• If your life right now were a Netflix show, what would it be called? The Travelers
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? My family
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? Spotify
• What is the top thing still left on your bucket list? Spend a month each year in a different city or place

Matt Bruning
EVP, Government & Member Relations

Year I Joined the VBA: 2010

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? Getting to know all the new General Assembly members.

Favorite VBA event or memory: VBA Annual Conventions at Kiawah.

• Favorite song or musical artist? Free Bird – Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Favorite Book? Read a lot but don’t have a favorite. Enjoyed Babel by R. F. Kuang last year.
• Favorite TV Show? Yellowstone currently
• Favorite Movie? Caddyshack, Braveheart, and Notting Hill (I’m a big Hugh Grant fan)
• I always start my day with…Coffee
• Favorite weekend activity: Watching my daughters’ swim meets
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? ESPN
• What is the top thing still left on your bucket list? Visit all 50 states – just 5 left – and seeing my Cleveland Browns win a Super Bowl.
• What would someone be surprised to learn about you? I played tuba in college

Henry Watkins
Government Relations Manager

Year I Joined the VBA: 2023

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? Preparing for the 2024 Virginia General Assembly legislative session.

Favorite VBA event or memory: Attending the Leadership Conference in Staunton this past November.

• Favorite song or musical artist? Zach Bryan or Chris Stapleton
• Favorite Podcast? Pop Culture Happy Hour NPR​
• Favorite Book? The Shining, Stephen King
• Favorite TV Show? New Girl​
• Favorite Movie? The Departed
• What is your secret weapon? Lateral speed
• I always start my day with…Walking our puppy, Raleigh
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? Passing legislation to legalize marijuana possession in Virginia
• How would you spend one million dollars? House on the river
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? Outlook & Twitter

Todd Hancock
IT Administrator

Year I Joined the VBA: 2012

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? Continuing to minimize our on-prem footprint.

Favorite VBA event or memory: Staff retreats with VBA team.

• Favorite song or musical artist? Hard to pick just one… I enjoy 80s and 90s country music most, but also enjoy the memories that anything from the ’80s and ’90s stirs up.
• Favorite Book?  Hard to pick a favorite… I enjoy a lot of what I pick up to read.  If I’m not enjoying it, I put it back down and pick up something else.  I especially enjoy reading financial and sports literature.  I also enjoy reading scripture.
• Favorite TV Show? I don’t watch much TV.
• Favorite Movie? The Avengers series
• What is your secret weapon? Patience
• Favorite weekend activity: Riding bikes with my sons.
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? Still working on it… my children.
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? I’m thinking that I text or email the most on my phone.
• What would someone be surprised to learn about you? I have been in a band.

Tracy Ottinger
SVP, MSI

Year I Joined the VBA: 2013

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? I am currently working on 2024 planning and am excited about the unique products, projects that will and strategies that we intend to pursue in 2024. 

Favorite VBA event or memory: I love all of the staff retreats. It’s so fun to get off site and network with the VBA team. 

• Favorite song or musical artist? R.E.M.
• Favorite Podcast? None. I’d rather listen to Spotify.
• Favorite Book?  Catcher in the Rye
• Favorite TV Show? The Office​
• Favorite Movie? Sixteen Candles​
• What is your secret weapon? Prayer
• I always start my day with…Coffee!!
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? Raising two amazing boys
• How would you spend one million dollars? I would start a foundation dedicated to supplying sports equipment to children facing economically disadvantaged backgrounds. 
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? Spotify
• What would someone be surprised to learn about you? I have a large collection of vinyl records. 

Kellee Edelin
Project Manager, MSI | VBA, Database Manager

Year I Joined the VBA: 2008

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? Currently planning a database upgrade

Favorite VBA event or memory: The 125th VBA Anniversary Dinner – powerful and amazing history

• Favorite song or musical artist? Blackhawk
• Favorite Podcast? I’d rather read than listen to podcasts.
• Favorite Book?  Too many to choose just one!
• Favorite TV Show? Friends
• Favorite Movie? Step Mom
• What is your secret weapon? My sense of direction! my husband calls me his “St. Bernard” because I rarely get lost;)
• Favorite weekend activity: Being out in the sun - either at the pool or on the boat
• If your life right now were a Netflix show, what would it be called? Buckle up and keep your hands and feet inside the car at all times!
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? Raising two children and still being “kinda” sane;)
• How would you spend one million dollars? Pay off debt, save for retirement, and donate to those less fortunate.

Vicky Heller
Benefits Administrator

Year I Joined the VBA: 2022

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? Helping our members navigate Open Enrollment!

Favorite VBA event or memory: As a former banker, I had the opportunity to attend VBA’s School of Bank Management. The knowledge gained and relationships made with fellow bankers at Bank School were priceless!

• Favorite song or musical artist? I have a very eclectic taste in music, so it’s hard to pick just one. But my go-to is usually 70’s & 80’s rock.
• Favorite Podcast? What’s a podcast?
• Favorite Book?  I like historical fiction novels. My favorite is an 8-book series, The Kent Family Chronicles, by John Jakes.
• Favorite TV Show? Ghosts
• Favorite Movie? Gone With the Wind
• I always start my day with…Making my bed.
• Favorite weekend activity: Singing Karaoke with my husband Ray.
• How would you spend one million dollars? Spend some, share some and save some.
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? Candy Crush
• What is the top thing still left on your bucket list? Taking a cross-country road trip with my husband.

Gabby Bond
Benefits Systems Manager

Year I Joined the VBA: 2018

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? Creating and implementing a visual content strategy for the VBA Benefits Corp.

Favorite VBA event or memory: VBA Bank School in 2019

• Favorite song or musical artist? Islands in the Stream by Kenny Rodgers and Dolly Parton (reminds me of my grandma; Demi’s namesake)
• Favorite Podcast? Crime Junkie
• Favorite Book?  The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn (The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window is a HILARIOUS Netflix series that makes fun of this genre of books)
• Favorite TV Show? Law and Order: SVU
• Favorite Movie? Star Wars movies (old and new)
• I always start my day with…Water and Coffee (try to be intentional about the order of those!!)
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? My family…daughter, Demaris (Demi) and husband, Dylan. Two pups, Storm and Luna.
• How would you spend one million dollars? Pay of student loans, our mortgage, invest some and travel with the rest!
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? TikTok and Messages are basically tied
• What is the top thing still left on your bucket list? Run an ultramarathon!
• What would someone be surprised to learn about you? I’m not a big fan of chocolate and/or bacon…I know, I know…

Cindy Beazley
Benefits Coordinator

Year I Joined the VBA: 2007

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? Open Enrollment

Favorite VBA event or memory: “Lunch Bunch” when we get together once a month and enjoy good food and good conversations.

• Favorite song or musical artist? Hot Blooded – Foreigner
• Favorite Book?  I don’t have a favorite but enjoy mysteries.
• Favorite TV Show? House Hunters and SVU
• Favorite Movie? Dirty Dancing​
• I always start my day with…Caffeine
• Favorite weekend activity: Going to the river!
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? My children! Family is the most important in my life.
• How would you spend one million dollars? Half on a river house (of course a boat included) and half on a farm.
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? Amazon

Bobbi Weimer
Senior Director, Operations & Compliance

Year I Joined the VBA: 2000

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? Open Enrollment 2024. Although this isn’t my first open enrollment on the Benefits team, every year we strive to make it better which is always a challenge I enjoy!

Favorite VBA event or memory: Overnight staff retreats- they were always packed with great memories that I’ve carried with me.

• Favorite song or musical artist? Lauren Daigle
• Favorite Book?  Almost every book I read! I’m definitely a book nerd!!
• Favorite TV Show? Friends will always be my go-to favorite
• Favorite Movie? Probably The Greatest Showman
• I always start my day with…Prayer and coffee
• Favorite weekend activity: Dinner and meal-prepping with my boys on Sunday afternoons
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? Raising our children to love the Lord
• If you could host a talk show, who would be your first guest? Ryan Reynolds
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? Google – I don’t like NOT having an answer for something

Pam Connelly
Senior Director of Benefit Plan Analysis

Year I Joined the VBA: 2012

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? I have recently gotten involved in a multi-employer collaborative peer group exploring the holistic benefit needs of employees through a 360-degree approach.

Favorite VBA event or memory: “Snack Time” every Wednesday afternoon with the Benefits Corp team is a highlight of my week, every week!! 

• Favorite song or musical artist? MercyMe
• Favorite Podcast? Biceps After Babies
• Favorite Book?  I love audiobooks!  My current favorite authors include:  Sally Hepworth; Jodi Picoult; and Colleen Hoover
• Favorite TV Show? A Netflix series…Virgin River​
• Favorite Movie? I don’t watch a lot of movies so another favorite Netflix series is Sweet Magnolias​
• Favorite weekend activity: Grilling and hanging out as a family outside on the patio or attending a college football game with family and friends!
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? My family…my three boys provide so much joy and fun!  It’s amazing to watch them grow up.  
• How would you spend one million dollars? Building a community center with a variety of outdoor sports fields and indoor gym space in Powhatan (our hometown)
• What is the top thing still left on your bucket list? Visit the Holy Land
• What would someone be surprised to learn about you? I love to bake cookies and try new recipes!

Laurie Milligan
President & COO, VBA Benefits Corp.

Year I Joined the VBA: 2012

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? We are working on creating a comprehensive well-being strategy for our banks based on our healthcare claims data analytics.  I’m excited about this initiative because it will provide tools and resources for our members to improve and maintain their health and well-being.

Favorite VBA event or memory: The VBA Women in Banking Conference each year; it is such a positive experience to be surrounded by talented women bankers…I am never ready for the day to end and leave feeling energized and inspired!

• Favorite song or musical artist? Can’t choose just one….Doobie Brothers, The Police, Hootie and the Blowfish, Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, The Chicks 
• Favorite Podcast? WorkLife with Adam Grant
• Favorite Book?  The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
• Favorite TV Show? Seinfeld
• Favorite Movie? The Notebook​
• I always start my day with…Coffee and barre or Peloton tread workout
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? Pausing my career to be a stay-at-home mother and working my way back to earning my dream job at the VBA Benefits Corp.
• What is the most-used app on your phone? Amazon
• What is the top thing still left on your bucket list? African safari
• What would someone be surprised to learn about you? I took hula lessons when I was a child :)

John Snead
SVP, Member Relations

Year I Joined the VBA: 2012

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? 2024 Open Enrollment and Secure Act 2.0 

Favorite VBA event or memory: Too many to list, but enjoy any VBA event where I get an opportunity to catch up with our members

• Favorite song or musical artist? Anything country
• Favorite Podcast? I enjoy financial wellness topics and sports podcasts
• Favorite Book?  Bible
• Favorite TV Show? 24, Homeland, and any new Star Wars series
• Favorite Movie? Willow
• I always start my day with…Working out and reading
• Favorite weekend activity: Playing a racquet sport (paddle, pickle, tennis) or visiting a winery with my wife 
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? Keep learning and challenging myself – I’ve completed the following schools and certifications; MBA, CEBS, CFP®, Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management and VBA Executive Leadership Institute
• ​How would you spend one million dollars? Invest it
• What is the top thing still left on your bucket list? Trip to Italy or Napa/Sonoma

Megan Darmanin
Strategic Support Manager

Year I Joined the VBA: 2022

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? Newly managing the VBA’s Emerging Bank Leaders program!

Favorite VBA event or memory: Bank School this past summer!

• Favorite song or musical artist? Taylor Swift
• Favorite Book? People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
• Favorite TV Show? Parenthood
• Favorite Movie? Guardians of the Galaxy ​
• I always start my day with…Starbucks or Dunkin!
• Favorite weekend activity: Going on walks with my dog Nigel.
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? Moving to Richmond last year from Southwest Virginia where I had been since starting college in 2012!
• How would you spend one million dollars? Pay off my student loans, buy a house, and travel.
• What would someone be surprised to learn about you? I’m a Detroit Lions fan!

Walt Lyons
VMBA Executive Director
VBA VP, Education & Training

Year I Joined the VBA: 2014

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? Oversight for the VBA’s Management Development Program and Executive Leadership Institute – I have always loved observing the journey participants of both programs experience!

Favorite VBA event or memory: Dinners with coworkers while traveling for VBA programs.

• Favorite song or musical artist? Old Dominion and Brothers Osborne
• Favorite Podcast? Smartless
• Favorite Book? Beach Music by Pat Conroy
• Favorite TV Show? Friends
• Favorite Movie? Back to the Future
• I always start my day with…Black coffee, usually a venti (or trenta) no classic, iced coffee from Starbucks
• Favorite weekend activity: Watching our boys play sports – baseball in the fall, basketball in the winter, flag football in the spring
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? My family – my beautiful wife Carter, our sons Tucker (12) and Graham (9), and pets Emery (dog) & Clover (Hemingway cat)
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? Instagram
• What would someone be surprised to learn about you? I’m the current reigning Chili Cookoff Champion of our neighborhood – 2 years running!

Gail Queen
Virtual Training & Registration Coordinator

Year I Joined the VBA: 2018

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? Working with my colleagues to improve our current registration platform. Specifically, improving registration automation so that we won’t need to repeatedly complete time-consuming processes.

Favorite VBA event or memory: VBA’s 125th anniversary celebration in 2018.

• Favorite song or musical artist? Currently – “Favorite Song” by Toosii
• Favorite Podcast? Buried Bones
• Favorite Book? New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
• Favorite TV Show? Poirot, Marple & Midsomer Murders
• Favorite Movie? Key Largo​
• I always start my day with…Coffee & Bible reading
• Favorite weekend activity: Spending time with my family.
• How would you spend one million dollars? Pay off mortgages for myself, my parents & oldest daughter & buy a house for my youngest daughter.
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? JW Library & Amazon
• What would someone be surprised to learn about you? I have traveled all over the world.

Suzanne Jenkins
Accounting Manager

Year I Joined the VBA: 1999

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? We have just hired our final staff member for the accounting department, and I am excited about the future!

Favorite VBA event or memory: There are quite a few but one of my biggest memories is the move from downtown to Innsbrook in the summer of 2005. It was a really exciting time. We had purchased our own building and everything was fresh and new.

• Favorite song or musical artist? So many songs…I have a hodge podge Spotify mix of my favorites that includes songs from the 1970’s to today in every genre.
• Favorite TV Show? I love all the reality shows! Survivor, Big Brother, Tough as Nails, Project Runway, etc. There is always something new to watch. I also LOVE House Hunters.
• Favorite Movie? Dirty Dancing​
• I always start my day with…Coffee and kisses from my puppies.
• Favorite weekend activity: Relaxing and catching up with family.
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? I moved to Richmond in 1999 with my 6 year old daughter to start a new life. It was so scary but it definitely worked out for the best. I have been at the VBA 24 years and now have a wonderful husband, 2 more daughters, 1 granddaughter and another granddaughter on the way.
• How would you spend one million dollars? Invest, retire, travel and help my family.
• What TV show or movie character would it be the most fun to change places with for a week? One of the friends on Friends.

Tammy Clark
Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable Specialist

Year I Joined the VBA: 2022

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? Processing credit card statements would be my biggest challenge.

Favorite VBA event or memory: The VBA staff mini-retreat.

• Favorite song or musical artist? Too many to name.
• Favorite podcast? No favorite. I am currently listening to Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel
• Favorite book? The Bible
• Favorite TV Show? Any HGTV home show
• Favorite Movie? Color Purple​
• What is your secret weapon? Silence
• I always start my day with…Coffee 
• Favorite weekend activity: Spending time outdoors
• If your life right now were a Netflix show, what would it be called? A Beautiful Interruption
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? My family
• How would you spend one million dollars? Not sure. I’ve learned to live well broke.
• If you could host a talk show, who would be your first guest? Denzel Washington
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? JW.org
• What is the top thing still left on your bucket list? To visit Africa
• What TV show or movie character would it be the most fun to change places with for a week? Viola Davis
• What would someone be surprised to learn about you? I wanted to be a morning show radio host.

Anne Boerner
Bookkeeper

Year I Joined the VBA: 2023

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? Learning all of the accounting functions for VBA and all of its affiliated entities. It is very challenging but very rewarding!

Favorite VBA event or memory: I have only been here for 5 weeks, but the monthly staff meeting was very nice!

• Favorite song or musical artist? Kenny Chesney, Old Dominion, Kelsea Ballerini, and anything country!
• Favorite podcast? The Dan Patrick Show
• Favorite book? There are so many good books, but I love all books written by Liane Moriarity and Emily Giffin.
• Favorite TV Show? Seinfeld
• Favorite Movie? Tin Cup and My Cousin Vinny
• I always start my day with…Coffee and a workout.
• Favorite weekend activity: I love to ride bikes and hike, but mostly spend time with my family and friends.
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? Definitely raising my boys! I have learned how hard it is and that it really never ends!
• What is the top thing still left on your bucket list? Travel, travel and travel! There are a lot of places to explore in this world!
• What would someone be surprised to learn about you? I love sports! Living with two brothers and a dad and mom who all loved to watch and cheer for their team, how could I not be like them? My favorite teams are my beloved Virginia Tech Hokies, Green Bay Packers, Boston Red Sox, and Boston Celtics. I also love to watch professional tennis and golf.

Kristen Reid
VP, Education & Training

Year I Joined the VBA: 2015

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? Currently, Bank School. While this isn’t a “new” project for me or the VBA, the school continues to experience growth with the incoming first year class (90 again this year!) which makes every year exciting and an adventure!

Favorite VBA event or memory: So many…but once again, it goes back to Bank School. While 2020 wasn’t a year I would want to repeat (EVER!), what the VBA team was able to do, in partnership with the Bank School faculty, was amazing. Many other states were canceling/postponing programs, but we were able to pivot and provide a quality, virtual experience. What was even better is we learned new and innovative ways we could enhance the school when we returned to offering it in-person. Having said that, I am SO happy we only had one year where we weren’t all able to gather in Charlottesville as that is where the magic really happens!

• Favorite song or musical artist? This is tough…since I just saw him in concert, I am going with Bruce Springsteen.
• Favorite podcast? The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
• Favorite Book? Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom
• Favorite TV Show? Succession or The Sopranos
• Favorite Movie? Goodfellas or The Greatest Showman
• I always start my day with…Walking the dogs, individually, to The Depot for coffee (me) and a treat (them) and focusing strictly on gratitude. 
• Favorite weekend activity: Adventures with the dogs OR heading out of town for a quick getaway.
• If you could host a talk show, who would be your first guest? Stephen King
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? Google Maps
• What is the top thing still left on your bucket list? Traveling the countryside of Ireland

DeMarion Johnston
General Counsel

Year I Joined the VBA: 2018

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? A lot of new laws become effective every July 1st in Virginia and it’s always an interesting time.

Favorite VBA event or memory: Lunch Bunch, our monthly office potluck, is one of my favorite things we do at the VBA.  We have lots of good cooks!

• Favorite song or musical artist? Beastie Boys
• Favorite podcast? SmartLess with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnet
• Favorite Book?  I love reading biographies and autobiographies of musicians, bands, and actors.
• Favorite TV Show?  I’m devastated Ted Lasso is over!
• Favorite Movie? The Princess Bride, Predator, Aliens, Paddington 2 (seriously, it’s outstanding), Elf
• I always start my day with…Coffee, coffee, and more delicious coffee.
• Favorite weekend activity: Being outside.
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? My family – I work hard at keeping those people happy!
• How would you spend one million dollars? Quickly.  Easy come, easy go.
• If you could host a talk show, who would be your first guest? Prince

Amy Binns
VP, Industry Partnerships

Year I Joined the VBA: 2006

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? Organizing a VBA Associate Member Appreciation Day this fall! We have such tremendous supporters of our industry and look forward to showing them how much they are appreciated.

Favorite VBA event or memory: VBA Bank School – I worked with this program for many years after starting at the VBA and had the chance to meet so many amazing bankers and faculty that have provided me with lifelong treasured friendships.

• Favorite song or musical artist? Any songs by Old Dominion
• Favorite podcast? Dabbling in true crime podcasts
• Favorite Book? The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes but I’m doing a reading challenge this year so may be adding more to my favorites list.
• Favorite TV Show? Big Bang Theory - always good for a laugh at the end of the day.
• Favorite Movie? The original Top Gun, but Top Gun: Maverick runs a close second.
• I always start my day with…Coffee/reading and a powerwalk with my chocolate lab (but not sure who walks who).
• Favorite weekend activity: Working in the yard or on a DIY project with a brewery or winery outing thrown in.
• If your life right now were a Netflix show, what would it be called? Calgon – Take Me Away!
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? Raising three amazing kids who’ve blessed me with four grandbabies.
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? Amazon, hands down
• How would you spend one million dollars? Buy my dream river home!
• What is the top thing still left on your bucket list? Taking an RV trip across the US.

Monica McDearmon
VP, Communications & Financial Education

Year I Joined the VBA: 2016

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? I am looking forward to working with our member banks participating in this summer’s internship program. We have a record number of bank participants and I always enjoy meeting the college students during the Intern Orientation. 

Favorite VBA event or memory: Any year of the Virginia Reads One Book Program. As a former teacher, this program is near and dear to my heart. I love to see the immediate impact that the banking industry and our Education Foundation make on Title 1 schools across the state. It’s one of my favorite annual projects for sure!

• Favorite song or musical artist? Garth Brooks
• Favorite podcast? Absolutely Not and anything hosted by Brené Brown
• Favorite Book? I don’t have a favorite, but have definitely been trying to read more over the last year! Kristin Hannah, Emily Henry and Colleen Hoover have written some of my favorite recent books.
• Favorite TV Show? Seinfeld
• Favorite Movie? National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
• I always start my day with…A workout and coffee
• Favorite weekend activity: Anything outside, preferably by the water, with my family.
• If your life right now were a Netflix show, what would it be called? Buckle Up…
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? Raising my two girls.
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? Instagram
• How would you spend one million dollars? Spend some, save some, but some type of big vacation would definitely happen quickly!

Chandler Owdom
SVP, Communications & Strategy

Year I Joined the VBA: 2009

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? I am excited for the Leadership Dialogues panels we will be doing at our Burgers with Bruce series this month. We have never had panels before for these events, and we haven’t held this series since 2019! I can’t wait to catch up with Emerging Bank Leaders and their managers/CEOs throughout the state.

Favorite VBA event or memory: VBA Annual Convention in 2011 at The Greenbrier – it was the first year I attended Convention, and getting to bond with our team and meet so many bankers, who I have now known for over a decade, was a priceless experience.

• Favorite song or musical artist? Taylor Swift and Coldplay – they can do no wrong!
• Favorite podcast? Smartless
• Favorite Book? I tend to go for thrillers, but not reading enough these days! Trying to decide if I want to read Spare next. 
• Favorite TV Show? Just finished Daisy Jones & The Six
• Favorite Movie? The Sandlot and Dirty Dancing never get old to me.
• I always start my day with…Coffee and ideally a few minutes of reading.
• Favorite weekend activity: Coffee and breakfast and a family walk in the Fan
• If your life right now were a Netflix show, what would it be called? Need more coffee.
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? Graduating from the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management and raising my two girls.
• How would you spend one million dollars? Travel. Also, personal chef and personal trainer? Yes, please. 
• What is the top thing still left on your bucket list? Visiting all 50 states – I have 36 checked off the list! Of the states I have left, I am most looking forward to seeing Alaska.

Carla Moore
HR Director

Year I Joined the VBA: 2022
Carla is one of the newest VBA teammates – she joined the team in December 2022!

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? As a very new member of the VBA team, my new challenge is to learn about the VBA and title agencies, my role as an HR Director, and my new coworkers. I am excited to learn ways I can add value through my role and positively contribute to the success of the association and title agencies. 

Favorite VBA event or memory: So far, Bruce’s 30th VBA Anniversary. It was great to learn about Bruce’s journey at the VBA and how his leadership has positively impacted his employees. Personally, this reaffirmed I had made the right decision of joining such a great team! 

• Favorite song or musical artist? Many, but love Chicken Fried by Zac Brown Band
• Favorite podcast? I haven’t gotten into podcasts yet!
• Favorite Book? Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, Me Before You by JoJo Moyes and It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
• Favorite TV Show? Yellowstone, This is Us, The Office
• Favorite Movie? Mamma Mia and Bridesmaids
• My secret weapon: Kindness
• I always start my day with…Exercise and coffee 
• Favorite weekend activity: Playing tennis and hanging out with my family.
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? My two kids!
• What is the top thing still left on your bucket list? Visiting Greece

Stacy Puckett
CFO

Year I Joined the VBA: 1997
Stacy is one of the longest-tenured employees at the VBA - she just celebrated her 25th anniversary in December 2022!

What’s one new challenge or project that you are currently working on that excites you? Training a new employee.  The accounting department will finally be fully staffed after being understaffed for almost 3 years!!

Favorite VBA event or memory: Good and bad memory - 4H staff retreats, specifically tipping over a canoe with Roxanne Sheppard.

• Favorite song or musical artist? Thought You Should Know by Morgan Wallen
• Favorite podcast? Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist
• Favorite Book? Any James Patterson mystery-nothing complicated that has short chapters
• Favorite TV Show? Below Deck – I know! But the places they visit are amazing.
• I always start my day with…Dog snuggles, prayer and coffee.
• Favorite weekend activity: Traveling with my husband or volunteering at the Goochland County Animal Shelter
• What do you consider your biggest accomplishment - career or otherwise? Marrying my husband, Reese.  All the rest started with that.
• How would you spend one million dollars? Vacation, church and Goochland Pet Lovers
• What is the top thing still left on your bucket list? African safari
• What would someone be surprised to learn about you? That I have been on more than 20 youth mission trips with my church’s youth group.