Board of Directors

President

Dr. Craig Vasey

Chair of the Department of Classics, Religion, and Philosophy at UMW, Dr. Vasey holds a doctorate in philosophy from Brown University and a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Paris-Nanterre. Dr. Vasey serves on the board of several academic societies, has published numerous academic works, and also is active in local civic life, especially in the areas of religious freedom and racial understanding. He has been awarded several academic honors, including the University’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. He has coordinated programs for several visiting scholars from France, hosting talks and conferences at UMW in coordination with Sister City.

1st Vice President

John East

John retired in April 2019 from the VA Department of Health/ Office of Drinking Water where he was an Environmental Inspector Senior. Prior to that, he worked for the County of Fairfax in water pollution control. John East is serving his second term as 1st Vice President , whose primary function is the student exchange program. John and his wife have spent the last 24 years hosting people from France, Italy, and Germany.

2nd Vice President

Nancie Lightner

Nancie Lightner, 2nd Vice President, in charge of membership.

Secretary

Moriah Webster

Moriah Wester joined the board of the Fredericksburg Sister City Association in 2020. A student at Fredericksburg City Public Schools, she took part in the FSCA Exchange program in the summer of 2009 and hosted three students over the summers of 2008 and 2010. Additionally, she attended the Virginia Governor’s French Academy in the summer of 2011 and worked as a monotrice and instructor in 2014. She attended Randolph-Macon College and has a B.A. in Art History with a minor in French and holds her Masters in Material Culture and the Public Humanities. She currently teaches art at Walker-Grant Middle School.

Treasurer

Wilbur Brown

Wilbur Brown, long-time Sister City member, serves as treasurer. Wilbur works as the Process Computer Control Engineer for the Department of Environmental Services Division for the Arlington County Water Pollution Control Facility. Wilbur is a native from the Fredericksburg area. He holds a BS degree from North Carolina Central University in Biology. Wilbur has served on several boards, Virginia Water Environment Association, and Harambee 360 Experimental Theatre, Inc. and was past board member of Fredericksburg Sister City (Ghana). He and his family have hosted student exchange guests from Fréjus. He has served as on the board as Treasurer, Membership Chair and Historian. Wilbur is Sister City’s traditional bartender/wine steward, and also photographs Sister City events to document the activities of the association.

Public Relations

Mandy Carr

Mandy Carr joined the board of the Fredericksburg Sister City Association in 2020.

University of Mary Washington Liaison

Dr. Brooke Di Lauro

Brooke Di Lauro, board member, serves as liaison with the University of Mary Washington.

Immediate Past President

Judy Hansen

Judy Hansen, a longtime member of the Fredericksburg Sister City Association, has served as secretary and president of the organization as well as chaperone and host for participants in the exchange program with Frejus.  She has a B.A. in French from Westhampton College (Univ. of Richmond) and an M.A.T. in English from Duke University.  She began her teaching career in Richmond, Va. as a French teacher in the elementary language program and taught in Norfolk and Durham, N.C. before moving to Fredericksburg.  During 30+ years with the Fredericksburg City Public Schools, she taught both English and French at James Monroe High School; was instrumental in instituting an exploratory language program at Walker-Grant Middle School; and taught a class in which JM students taught French to elementary students at Hugh Mercer.  Retired since 2000, she remains active in the community and in the Sister City program.

Director

Bill Beck

Bill Beck, served from 2000-2004 as mayor of Fredericksburg. He has been a full time self-employed antiques dealer for 40 years. He has sold important objects to the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, The Jamestown Yorktown Foundation, The Valentine Museum, Colonial Williamsburg and numerous private collectors. He is a lifelong Fredericksburg resident and product of the City’s public schools. He has served on the boards of a number of community organizations including the Fredericksburg Architectural Review Board, Our Town Fredericksburg (the Main Street organization) The Downtown Merchants Association, Historic Fredericksburg Foundation (4 years as president), The Preservation Alliance of Virginia, and The Fredericksburg Committee for The Virginia Statute For Religious Freedom. Besides the FSCA he is also currently on the board of the Central Rappahannock Heritage Center.

Director

Robert Bugno

Robert Bugno joined the board of the Fredericksburg Sister City Association in 2021.

Director

Carol Butler

Carol Butler joined the board of the Fredericksburg Sister City Association in 2022.

Director

Cathy Herndon

Cathy Herndon, is a retired art teacher with a long and distinguished career in local schools. She continues to have an active art life, participating in numerous arts groups and frequently debuting new works. Cathy is a long-time member of Sister City, and maintains close relationships with many Fréjus Sister City participants. She has been to France many times, and hosts adults, as well as serves as chaperone/host on numerous trips and excursions. Cathy was awarded the Virginia Middle School Art Teacher of the Year, and has received numerous grants for study and arts production, including a Fulbright Fellowship to Japan, and a Virginia Commission for the Arts grant to produce art in France. She continues to advise and support Sister City activities.