The Virginia Beach City Public Schools Education Foundation proudly announces the members who have been selected to serve on the Board. The following list includes the names bios of each of the new members:

Barbara Deal retired from Virginia Beach City Public Schools in December 2007 after 26 years as a special education teacher. She earned a master’s degree in special education from Georgia State University and a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of North Florida. A member of the Beacon Circle at Children’s Hospital of The Kings Daughters, Deal enjoys painting, reading, beach walking, travel and home décor.

Jim DeBellis a previous School Board member also served as the City of Virginia Beach’s Director of Economic Development for 20 years (1970 - 1990). DeBellis is a founding member of, and is still currently involved with, the Virginia Economic Development Association. He received his bachelor’s degree in commerce from Grove City College, in Pennsylvania. DeBellis served as a member of the Arts and Humanities Commission for Virginia Beach and enjoys woodworking, reading (history), and ‘big band’ music.

Dianne Florence is the Immediate Past President of the Virginia Parent Teacher Association (the state PTA). As a member of the state PTA, Florence served two years as president elect, two years as treasurer, four years as bylaw chairman, and two years as the Tidewater District PTA Assistant Director. Florence earned a bachelor’s degree from Longwood College in business education.

Catherine Gettier is the owner of Lynnhaven’s Atlanta Bread Company, which opened in Virginia Beach six years ago. Gettier has served a volunteer with the SPCA, The Samaritan House, and as a fundraiser for the United Way. She attended high school in Connecticut and received a bachelor’s degree in French from the University of Rhode Island. Gettier and her husband recently opened Panchero’s Mexican Grill, located in Landstown Commons.

Nancy Guy is a previous Virginia Beach School Board member (1996-2002). She served as PTA president at Ocean Lakes High School from 2005-2007, is currently a member of the executive board for the Virginia Beach Council PTA and the capital committee for the Virginia state PTA. She is a graduate from Cox High School, and received her bachelor’s degree in government from The College of William and Mary, Phi Beta Kappa and earned a J.D. from the University of Virginia. She enjoys traveling, gardening and spending time at the beach.

Frank Malbon is the branch manager for Southern Trust Mortgage. He graduated from Hampden-Sydney College with a bachelor’s degree in government and foreign affairs. Malbon’s three children attended Virginia Beach City Public Schools and all graduated from Cox High School. He coaches basketball and baseball.

Sam Porter owns two local drywall and plaster companies, The Porter-Blaine Corporation and Venture Supply, Inc. and currently works with the Virginia Beach Education Foundation House Project as a subcontractor. Porter graduated from Green Run High School and attended the Virginia Beach Technical & Career Education Center for carpentry and construction. His company Venture Supply, Inc. is the only locally owned and operated drywall supply company. Porter enjoys carpentry and furniture making as well as working on his farm.

Scott Seery is a partner and attorney with Faggert and Frieden, P.C. of Virginia Beach. He has two children enrolled in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools and resides in the Ocean Lakes area of Virginia Beach. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from James Madison University and earned his Juris Doctorate from George Mason University School of Law. Seery enjoys participating in sports and exercising.

Dr. Nancy Davenport will serve for the next school year as President for the National Principal’s League. She was nominated by current Board members to serve as an elementary principal liaison to the Virginia Beach City Public Schools Education Foundation Board.

Dr. Patsy Slaughter is currently the principal at Trantwood Elementary. She was nominated by current Board members to serve as an elementary principal liaison to the Virginia Beach City Public Schools Education Foundation Board.

The Virginia Beach Education Foundation is a non-profit organization which exists to raise money from the private sector in support of Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Currently, the Education Foundation Board members are in the midst of a capital campaign, entitled “Go Beyond,” to raise $600,000 to help teachers go beyond their lesson plans to inspire students to experience learning. The Education Foundation funds the innovative projects teachers design that enhance the educational curriculum and are not funded within the existing VBCPS budget.

For more information on the Virginia Beach Education Foundation, go to www.vbef.org or call 757.263.1069.

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