Meredith Hunter
January 31, 2008
As an alumna of Hollins College, I had always known the Roanoke Valley to be such a beautiful area, but thought the four years I spent at Hollins were the extent of my years in Virginia. Ironically, after eight years in Boston and two years overseas, I returned to Roanoke to my alma mater as the Vice President for External Relations to help direct and secure Hollins’ future. Coming from Boston, my husband and I are enjoying living in an actual community and getting to know our neighbors. We are adjusting to the slower pace of life, and look forward to taking advantage of the outdoors in the spring and summertime. We certainly don’t miss the New England weather right now!
- Meredith’s Employer: Vice President for External Relations, Hollins University
Carol Seavor
January 30, 2008
Coming to Roanoke was never in my game plan. However, I have been here for six years, enjoying the best job I’ve ever had in a naturally beautiful environment. In addition, Roanoke provides a high quality of life with a moderate cost of living and all the amenities a small peaceful Southern city has to offer!
The extent of my knowledge of Roanoke prior to 2002 was its name on a big green sign on Route 81. During those years my husband and I were enjoying life in Knoxville but making frequent trips to Staunton to visit our daughter and her family. As luck would have it I was alerted to the availability of a wonderful new position in Roanoke. The potential for moving closer to my grandchildren AND growing in my profession was a force I could not resist and, in retrospect, we made a good decision. Roanoke has proven to be a wonderful place to live, work, and play. It has a vibrant professional population, a strong health care industry, great restaurants and entertainment, a symphony, an opera company, as well as good old country blue grass, jazz and gospel. Our adventure to Roanoke has proven to be one of our best even though we have lived from Maine to South Carolina with many stops in-between!
Kelly & Rick Sheridan
January 29, 2008
Both Rick and I lived in Manhattan all of our adult lives. I had a career in magazine publishing, and Rick was the director of the photo studio at the American Museum of Natural History as well as a freelance TV and theater director. When Rick decided to take early retirement from the Museum to take care of me full-time after I sustained a brain-stem injury, we knew we’d have to retire outside of New York City because of its formidable high cost-of-living. We wanted to move to another urban environment but didn’t want to move to another large city (because we’d surely constantly compare it to Manhattan, which we adored). We wanted to try a small city that had its share of restaurants and galleries and amenities.
Kelly & Rick stopped in Roanoke on their way to meet their moving truck in Asheville, NC. Two weeks later they decided to pack up again and move to Roanoke!
We selected Asheville, NC. While driving to Asheville to meet the moving van containing our furniture and belongings, we stopped for an overnight in Roanoke. We drove through downtown and were very impressed by the revitalization taking place. The new art museum. The market district. The variety of eateries. The construction and remodeling underway throughout downtown. We drove past a building that advertised condos for sale. An hour later we toured three lovely loft-like SoHo-reminiscent condos. The condos felt so comfortable and familiar to us that two weeks later we decided to abandon our Asheville plans and move our furniture and belongings out of NC and north to VA. We decided to buy one of those lovely condos and join the revitalization of downtown Roanoke.
Susan Haas
January 29, 2008
I’m a New Jersey native and lived there 38 years before moving to Atlanta, GA for two years. While there, I received a phone call from a recruiter who was looking for someone with dental experience and interested in relocating to Virginia. My parents had retired to Williamsburg in 1978 and I considered Williamsburg “home”. My dad’s health was failing so I took this as a sign and relocated to Roanoke to get closer to my parents. This gave me the opportunity to spend a lot more time with my dad before he passed away two years later. I enjoy living in Roanoke and being single, it is a small city with lots of things to do and I feel very safe here. Although I still possess a slight “Jersey” accent while my friends from NJ insist I have a Southern drawl! I’m now working for Delta Dental of Virginia and I’m in my ninth year here. My prior Delta Dental experience includes two years in Atlanta and ten in New Jersey. I am the Training & Development Specialist and work in Human Resources; one of the things I like the best is getting to meet every single new employee!
- Brooke’s Employer: Training & Development Specialist, Delta Dental
- Brooke’s Hometown: Wharton, New Jersey
Brooke Perry
January 28, 2008
I am originally from Coeburn, VA; a very small town in southwestern Virginia. I am 26 years old and moved to Roanoke in the summer of 2004. I loved it here immediately! Through my position at Bright Services, a regional staffing company, I have been given the tremendous opportunity to be involved in the community (Alzheimer’s Association, the Roanoke Regional Chamber, SHRM, etc.) and connect with some pretty amazing people! I quickly learned that Roanoke is not only a great place to work, but a great place to live. Just this past year I rented a boat on Smith Mountain Lake, hiked up Sharp Top Mountain, and visited Chateau Morrisette…wow! I think Roanoke is such a treasure because not only do we have all of these great outdoor amenities and cool places in our backyard, we have nice restaurants and bars to visit and there is always something going on. To me, it’s the perfect mix!
- Brooke’s Employer: Bright Services
- Brooke’s Hometown: Coeburn, Virginia
Jolan Patterson
January 27, 2008
I am a Roanoke Valley native, born in our very own Community Hospital. I have always loved having my roots here and being close to my family and the Blue Ridge Mountains. I have a profound appreciation for “home sweet home,” despite my passion for adventure and I guess what you would call my “inner calling” to travel. I attended Virginia Tech for the first two years of my college career, ending up at Roanoke College for the latter half. I absolutely fell in love with the close contact and supervision, mentorship and guidance that I feel blessed to have received at Roanoke College. Everyone there holds a special place in my heart for that reason.
I have worked with the Roanoke Valley Department of Economic Development in a previous job at Atlantic Credit & Finance and currently am employed by Lincoln Financial Group, the smaller agency Premier Advisers, Ltd. is located in our very own downtown Roanoke office. I have also been involved with the Contemporaries, Valley Forward, and became a member of the Roanoke Valley Booster Club during the past year. I anticipate future affiliation with such positive partnerships and I’m currently looking into helping out with the Clean Valley Council. I love to hike and explore our mountains, spend time with friends and family, and watch our big-hearted, small-town grow.
- Jolan’s Employer: Lincoln Financial Group
- Jolan’s Hometown: Roanoke, Virginia
- Jolan’s Social Profile: Facebook
Don Li
January 26, 2008
I was born and raised in China and came to the states about seventeen years ago. I settled in the Washington, D.C. region, where I spent nearly a decade working in software development and support for about a dozen firms, both large and small. Nonetheless, I eventually got tired of Northern Virginia’s over-crowdedness and unbearable traffic, among other things, and looked into the charming, mid-sized city that was Roanoke. Soon after, I made my move and became a Roanoke resident. In addition, because I had an international business background, and wanted to reconnect with lost friends in China (as well as help U.S. firms to do business in China), I found Roanoke to be a good candidate for emerging Chinese firms - as start-up costs for businesses and living are much cheaper than in a larger city. Moreover, on a personal level, I wanted to know and understand more about my new country, and felt that living in the south would add to that experience tremendously.
Becky Beard
January 25, 2008
I was living at Pawley’s Island, South Carolina reflecting on my future and trying to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up at age 34. The world was my proverbial oyster and I could live anywhere in the world I chose to. I had grown up in North and South Carolina and matriculated at the University of South Carolina, had had a career, been married, traveled all over the world and wanted a place I would be proud to call home. I was influenced by my brother and a long time Roanoke native to give Roanoke a try. They bent my ear long distance until I agreed to come spend a week.
That was 15 years ago!
I found Roanoke to be the welcoming new home I was looking for filled with interesting, entertaining people, fun things to do and a diverse enough community for me to get involved in and live comfortably.
I have never looked back with regret! Moving to Roanoke has brought so much joy to my life. I have made the best friends one could ask for, my career continues to prosper and I look forward to new experiences everyday and am proud to say Roanoke, Virginia is my home!
Laura & Greg Digennaro
January 24, 2008
When Greg and I finally committed to the idea of actually leaving NYC, a place we both called home all our lives living as urban dwellers, Roanoke did not initially appear to be a viable option. Once we explored our options, we realized we found it! The place we imagined raising a family and calling home. We fell in love with it right away. Let’s see, there’s no traffic, everything is 20 minutes away, did I mention there’s no traffic, everyone is so nice and the mountains … spectacular! We love our neighborhood, our home and the wonderful people we’ve met. A week after we signed the contract on the house we found out we were pregnant. So here we were, new homeowners, pregnant and unemployed. I am a registered nurse and Greg is a self-employed, general contractor, Valley Craftsmen Construction, Inc. Our daughter, who is now 2 years old, goes to a wonderful daycare center, the Downtown Learning Center of which I am now president of their board of directors. We would love it if all our near and dear would move here. Roanoke is like, the best kept secret ever! We live close to Downtown Roanoke where new restaurants and ideas are popping up all the time. We are close to the Roanoke Civic Center and there is not a bad seat in the house. It’s no Manhattan and we are so grateful it’s not. Roanoke is our home, we can visit Manhattan anytime.
- Laura’s Occupation: Registered Nurse
- Greg’s Occupation: General Contractor, Valley Craftsmen Construction, Inc.
- Hometown: New York City, NY
Cameron Johnson
January 23, 2008
Cameron Johnson was born and raised in Roanoke, Virginia. After graduating from Patrick Henry High School in 2003, he attended Virginia Tech briefly but left to focus on continuing his business career. Cameron had started many successful Internet companies before graduating high school and while attending Virginia Tech, he started yet another successful dot-com. This time it was the Internet’s first gift certificate marketplace and he left college and successfully raised $10 million in venture capital (which he subsequently turned down and sold the company instead).
In 2007, Cameron wrote a bestselling business book telling his story and offering advice for young people and entrepreneurs of all ages. (You Call the Shots was released by Simon & Schuster and is available in bookstores nationwide). Today, Cameron is 23 and travels the world for various speaking engagements but he still calls Roanoke home.
“I think Roanoke offers many career opportunities for young professionals - and plenty of social events as well. I’m proud to call Roanoke home and with its affordable cost of living, I look forward to more young people making Roanoke their home as well. It’s always about progress, not perfection.”
- Cameron’s Occupation: Author, Entrepreneur, Speaker
- Cameron’s Hometown: Roanoke, Virginia
- Cameron’s Website: cameronjohnson.com
- Cameron’s Social Profile: Facebook, MySpace, YouTube
Margaret Ann Ayers
January 22, 2008
I grew up in Roanoke, left to attend college and eventually returned in order to finish my education. For two reasons, I have always known that Roanoke was where I wanted to settle. First, my immediate family resides in the Star City. Secondly, I like the feel of the “big city in a little city” atmosphere that Roanoke offers. My husband, Todd, also returned to Roanoke upon graduating from college. While the majority of our friends from high school left the area, we have enjoyed meeting many new friends who have made their home here. It is very encouraging to see so many young people making their homes in the valley. I have always believed that this city is the perfect place to raise a family.
Todd and I have three boys–Christopher, 8, Garrettson, 5 and James 3. Because they are very active, we are fortunate that the city offers many activities from which they can choose to participate. In addition, we are very pleased with the outstanding programs and curriculum offered by Roanoke City Schools.
I am a stay-at-home-mom and stay very busy with both the children and the Junior League of Roanoke, Valley, Virginia, Inc. whereby I presently serve as president. The Junior League of Roanoke is an organization of women who are committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving the Community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. The Junior League of Roanoke Valley, Virginia, Inc. reaches out to women of all races, religions, and national origins who demonstrate an interest and commitment to volunteerism. I encourage young women who are new to Roanoke to become involved with the Junior League. Not only is it a wonderful way to meet new people but a great way to become involved in the Community.
Josh Perrington
January 22, 2008
Upon graduating high school (William Byrd), I served 8 years in the US Marine Corps while earning a BS in Accounting/Finance. It wasn’t until my second daughter was born until I realized just how strongly my wife and I wanted to grow roots and become part of a community.
The world was open to us as I had multiple jobs offers in Raleigh, Charlotte, Atlanta, and New York…but Roanoke was home. To have as much diversity in a Southwest Virginia City as we do is remarkable to say the least. Expecting to move home to reconnect with family and friends, we were surprised at how quickly we found ourselves in the middle of a whole new life. It was only a few short months upon returning that we found a church, Vinton Baptist, to join and immediately began serving. Now, four years after relocating, I’m blessed to have the opportunity to serve as a Deacon and Youth Leader.
It was about 2 and a half years into our relocation that I sprung the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make on my wife. It was time to quit the security of my salaried position and become a business owner. It was that conversation that began Gateway Mortgage Group just 4 months later and proudly has become, to date, one of Virginia’s most successful lenders.
Roanoke is no longer just a home…it’s an opportunity. An opportunity to serve, opportunity to create, and an opportunity to enjoy life’s greatest gifts.
- Josh’s Occupation: Owner, Gateway Mortgage Group
- Josh’s Hometown: Roanoke, Virginia
- Josh’s Social Profile: Facebook
Martha Goodwin & Terry Apple
January 21, 2008
Perhaps it was fate, or a bad year for hurricanes, that brought us to Roanoke. Having initially wanted to retire close to the ocean, in a city such as Charleston or Savannah, the steadfast weather and easy-going pace of life quickly made Roanoke an appealing option for us to settle in.
Equally intrigued by the local top-notch health care facilities and plans for expansion, both with the new medical school and Art Museum of Western Virginia, the area seemed to have a good mix of young professionals, as well as an established reputation for being “one of the ten best cities to retire in.” In addition, compared to the high cost of living that we faced in D.C., we were thrilled to purchase a home for much less than we had anticipated. Though we are still hours away from the beach, we are happy to call Roanoke home, and to substitute our once-envisioned ocean view with that of the mountainous Virginia landscape.
Bobby Williamson
January 20, 2008
I relocated to Roanoke from Columbus, Ohio, to take the position of
director of operations for the Roanoke Higher Education Center in November 2006. Having visited the area a few times prior to the move, I knew the area was in a great location and had some idea of its offerings.
What I have learned since relocating here?
- Fishing and playing at Smith Mountain Lake, the James River, and the New River
- Hiking, biking, camping opportunities galore (many “outdoorsy”
things to do within a short drive of Roanoke…several of which you can reach by traveling on the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway!) - The music scene is actually not too bad in “The Noke.” I have seen
several decent shows at The Jefferson Center, a few bars around town, and the Roanoke Civic Center. - There is ample opportunity to get involved in a variety of initiatives through various Young Professional Groups and civic organizations.
- You want Broadway-type shows on a smaller scale? We got ‘em. You want art? Got that, too. Coffee shops and food establishments? Yep - A plethora.
I could go on, but that’s not the point of “My Story”. When I was
asked to submit this story, I was informed that part of the mission was to build the Roanoke brand on a personal level. Want to know more or get connected to folks in the area? Make it personal - contact me through the Roanoke Higher Education Center. From one newcomer to this town to (possibly) another: I will be happy to help your transition if you’re thinking of relocating to the Roanoke Valley.
- Bobby’s Occupation: Director of Operations, Roanoke Higher Education Center
Julia Belvin
January 19, 2008
When I was growing up in Roanoke, I looked forward to moving to a larger, more “glamorous” city. Now, years later, I’m still here and loving Roanoke!
I traveled extensively for 17 years in my job and as much as I love traveling and seeing new places, I always loved the convenience of the Roanoke airport when I arrived home. I appreciated the 20 minute drive to the airport, the ease of parking there and the accessibility of claiming bags very quickly!
Outdoor activity is important to me, so easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Appalachian Trail and Smith Mountain Lake make Roanoke an ideal location. I also love the charm of the City Market for the wonderful farmers’ produce as well as unique shops and restaurants. In fact, when colleagues visit from San Francisco and Wilmington, (headquarters for former jobs), they are extremely impressed by our Market, Hotel Roanoke, O. Winston Link Museum, the new Art Museum and The Jefferson Center (and it’s huge variety of performances including ballet and opera!).
- Julia’s Hometown: Roanoke, Virginia
