Theresa Wood steps down after seven years of service
Businesses of Rappahannock (BOR) revealed a change in leadership at its quarterly networking event last Wednesday, with longtime president Theresa Wood announcing that she is stepping down and Laurie Smith is her successor.
“I’ve been doing this for seven years, and it has been a great ride. It has been so much fun and we’ve accomplished so much, and I’ve met so many amazing people,” Wood said at the event held at The Marketplace Sperryville. “I have loved my job. I really, really have loved this job. It’s been fabulous, but it is time for me to pass the torch to someone else.”
Wood splits her time between Dallas, Texas and Rappahannock County. She says the presidency is a large commitment, and being 1,200 miles away from the county a lot of the time made her realize it was time to “pass the torch.”
Wood said she has full faith in Smith’s ability to lead the organization effectively, and is excited to see it continue to grow and change under her leadership.
“[Laurie is] the perfect person to do this. She’s done an exemplary job. She’s a shining star of agriculture and the business of agriculture in Rappahannock,” Wood said.
Wood led the 150-member organization through the COVID-19 pandemic and brought on representatives from the world-renowned Inn at Little Washington that previously had not held membership. She was also instrumental in securing $100,000 in COVID-19 relief funds for tourism promotion from the Board of Supervisors.
2024-0-27-web.jpg
Smith has served on the BOR board for over a year. She is the owner of L. E. Smith Enterprises, a marketing and advertising business, and is the executive director of the Rappahannock County Farm Tour.
Wood said that the BOR normally holds elections at the end of the year to select a president, but the board unanimously decided earlier that Smith would be a good fit.
Smith said she is excited to continue Wood’s legacy of innovation, focusing on fostering community among businesses and “revamping” educational programming. She said “we’re all in this together,” and wants to hear from local businesses and address the needs they are seeing, as well as hear their ideas for the organization.
“I’ve been on the board under Theresa, learning the ropes. And with her living in Texas 50/50, it needed to be someone closer to do it,” Smith said. “I’m excited to hit the ground running.”
Wood says her involvement in BOR is far from over, and she will continue to serve on the board as a past president and support the organization’s efforts.
Ireland Hayes is a reporter for Foothills Forum, a nonprofit organization that supports local news in Rappahannock County.
Sign up for Rapp News Daily, a free newsletter delivered to your email inbox every morning.
Subtext 2024
