Brian Manning Board President
Brian Manning – Brian grew up in Princeton, West Virginia and received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Concord College (now Concord University). His first career choice was as an attorney, graduating from Washington & Lee University School of Law in 1989. He practiced for 15 years in North Carolina focusing primarily on business and employment law. He decided on a career change and received his Master in Library Science from North Carolina Central University in 2006. He also has a Master degree in Public Administration from University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. Brian was the deputy director of the Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center headquartered in Fayetteville, North Carolina prior to becoming the regional library director for the Appomattox Regional Library System in 2016. Brian and his wife, Donna, live in Prince George County. Brian’s interests outside of work are photography, music, art and Tarheel sports. He enjoys working with the community , has served as president for the West Fayetteville Rotary Club, is active in the Rotary Club of Prince George County, and has worked closely with the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, Faces in the Community Foundation, Inc. and Actions Pathways, Inc.
Aaron Reidmiller Director
Mr. Aaron Reidmiller is the director of Recreation and Parks for the City of Hopewell. Mr. Reidmiller attended Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Parks, and Sports Management. Aaron currently serves as the president of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society, a non-profit organization uniting over 1,200 recreation professionals and more than 90 agencies. Aaron holds the designation of Certified Parks and Recreation Professional from the National Recreation and Parks Association.
Daniel Jones Director
Daniel is a valuable new addition to our board at The Hopewell Downtown Partnership. Originally from Hopewell, he received his Master’s Degree in history and taught at Richard Bland College and the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School before moving abroad to the Czech Republic. After spending two and a half years living in Prague, he relocated to Split, Croatia for one year. Recently, he returned to his home town and is thrilled to find a place working in the community and to be a part of the revitalization of Hopewell and Prince George County. Daniel is the Communications and Marketing Director for the Hopewell/Prince george Chamber of Commerce, as well as the owner/operator of Daniel Jones Foto, a photography and videography studio based in Hopewell.
Christina Luman-Bailey Director
A “Hopewellian” by choice, Christina moved her family to Hopewell over 20 years ago. She is a graduate of The College of William and Mary and completed a Master of Arts and doctoral coursework at the University of Virginia. Additionally, she was an instructor at both the University of Virginia and Randolph Macon Woman’s College, and she served as the Executive Director of the School of the Alliance Francaise of Lynchburg. She is now an instructor at Richard Bland college. As Councilor, she obtained a Certificate of Achievement in Leadership from the National League of Cities’ Leadership Training Institute. Christina is a member of the Federated Woman’s Club, Kiwanis International, and St. John’s Episcopal Church. She and her four children live in the City Point neighborhood of Hopewell.
Jim Williams Director
C James Williams III Is a principal attorney of the personal injury firm of Burnett & Williams PC with offices of Hopewell, Midlothian, Richmond, Leesburg, Winchester, Reston and Orange. He graduated from George Mason University with a bachelor of science in 1982 and a Juris Doctor in 1987. He was a member of the Law Review where his article was selected for publication, and has since published other works. He has argued cases before the Virginia Supreme Court and has represented clients in cases in other states. Several of his cases produced million dollar results. Prior to law school, he was an Evaluator with the US Government Accountability Office, a congressional watchdog agency of the federal government. He is married and the father of five grown children and has one grandson. His hobbies include flying, skiing and spending time with his family.
Betty Ware Director
Betty is a Native of Belzoni, Mississippi. Mother of one son, Eric and one grandson, Eric, Jr., she is a graduate of both Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi where she received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Special Education; and later received a Master’s of Education Degree in Special Education with an added endorsement in Administration and Supervision from Virginia State University in Ettrick, Virginia.
She is a retired K-12 educator/administrator. A teacher of children with disabilities for 22 years, an assistant principal at Hopewell High School for 3 years and 14 years, the Supervisor of Career & Technical Education for Hopewell City Public Schools. Lived in Germany for 3 years prior to moving to Hopewell.
