ROANOKE, Va. – Freedom First recently held their annual membership meeting and announced the newly elected members of the board of directors. Filling the three open positions of the nine-member volunteer board are first-time directors, Michelle Dykstra and Ron Williams, and one re-elected incumbent, Dan Merenda. The Freedom First Credit Union board of directors, all whom are active members of the Credit Union, are democratically elected by the membership to serve three-years terms.
Dan Merenda is the President of the Council of Community Services, and has experience in strategic planning, data analysis, education policy, community development, non-profit board development, and a vast network of organizations in the Roanoke Valley. Dan has also been involved with Healthy Roanoke Valley Steering Committee and Partnership for a Livable Roanoke Valley Steering Committee.
Michelle Dykstra is a Roanoke City Council member with experience in small business financing and development, event planning, board leadership, marketing and communications. She serves on the XPYP Planning Committee Board, Community Christmas Store Chairman of Children’s Gifts, Roanoke Valley Allegheny Regional Commission, Legislative/Audit/ Personnel committees on Roanoke City Council, Interactive Achievement Foundation for Kids, Making Foundation, and President of the Mountain View Neighborhood Association. She is also involved in the Virginia Municipal League, the Roanoke Chamber of Commerce, and Roanoke - Blacksburg Technology Council.
Ron Williams has been in Sales Management, Broadcasting, Communications and Marketing. He is a certified Toastmaster and conducts leadership sales coaching for excellence. He is a member of the Apple Ridge Farm Board, Family Preservation Services, Roanoke Regional Homebuilders, volunteers for the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association and serves on the Trustee Board for the Roanoke Tribune newspaper.
“Our entire board of directors embodies the spirit of community and brings talent, expertise, and energy to help guide Freedom First,” said Paul Phillips, President and CEO. “We are very fortunate to have each of them by our side as we serve our members in the Roanoke and New River Valleys.”
The other six directors on Freedom First’s board include: Nelson Shibley, Treasurer; Judith Harrison, Wayne Strickland, Brent Cochran, Melinda Payne, and Tim Sutphin. The board of directors are responsible for establishing strategic goals and guiding policies, as well as monitoring the performance of management.