Allison Mays

Allison has served as the director of the Virginia Tech Southwest Center since May 2023. Prior to that, she held various professional leadership positions throughout the region, served on the board of directors for several regional, state, and national organizations, and also was elected to a term on the Washington County Board of Supervisors. Allison served as vice-chair of the National Association of Counties Arts & Culture Commission and presented at national conferences about the economic impacts of arts, culture, and outdoor recreation in Southwest Virginia.

Allison previously served as director of government relations at Emory & Henry University and also held leadership roles at Barter Theatre, Healing Hands Health Center, and Mount Rogers Community Services. She currently serves on the board of directors for Friends of Southwest Virginia, Blue Ridge PBS and PBS Appalachia, and Virginia Ed Strategies, and serves as chair of the Town of Abingdon Economic Development Authority.