The Board of Directors
Dr. Brian Fellows
President
Dr. Brian Fellows, Principal, Deep Run High School, Henrico Division. Brian began his teaching career in 1998 and in school administration in 2001. In 2010, he was named a Principal of Distinction by the Commonwealth of Virginia. He is a proud product of the Henrico Division and is a 1994 graduate of Mills E. Godwin High School. His wife, Carey, is principal at Pinchbeck Elementary School in Henrico. His mother was a teacher and his father worked for more than 40 years in Richmond City Public Schools, serving as the principal of Albert H. Hill Middle School from 1990-2014. Brian taught math at Tuckahoe Middle School, and served as assistant principal at Godwin High School, principal at Tuckahoe Middle, and was the first principal in the history of Holman Middle (from 2009-19). He has been a VASSP members since 2011. B.A., Emory & Henry College, M.Ed. & Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University.
Dr. Jennifer Bolling
President-elect
Dr. Jennifer Bolling, Principal, Pulaski County High School, Pulaski Division. Jennifer is a public school educator with 23 years of teaching and administrative experience, all in Pulaski County Public Schools. Originally entering the field of public school education as a paraprofessional, she has experience as a middle school teacher, elementary teacher and high school teacher. After eight years as a special education teacher, Jennifer became an assistant principal and was promoted to principal in the spring of 2020. Jennifer takes pride in working collaboratively with all members of the campus and community to creatively plan for student success and community pride. VASSP member since 2014. B.S. Psychology, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, M.S. Special Education, M.S. Educational Leadership, Ed.D., Educational Leadership, Radford University.
Dr. Melanie M. Patterson
Immediate Past President
Dr. Melanie M. Patterson, Principal, Lake Taylor Middle School, Norfolk Division. Melanie is a 27-year educator focused on setting an atmosphere for successful teaching and learning. She led the transition of Lake Taylor Middle School to now a K-8 school, merging three schools together over a three year period. Previously, a middle school assistant principal with Suffolk Public Schools, her concentration is on establishing relationships, routines, and rigor in the classroom. She taught English on the high school level with Norfolk Public Schools and Suffolk Public Schools. Melanie joined VASSP in 2012. B.A. Norfolk State University, M.Ed. Old Dominion University, Ed.D. Virginia Tech.
Dr. Randy D. Barrack
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Randy D. Barrack, VASSP, Richmond. Randy has been the chief executive officer of VASSP since 1979. The former high school principal is an experienced mediator who is regularly involved in litigation affecting school principals and assistant principals. He has been an advocate for public school education at the Virginia General Assembly since 1979. He is a co-author of The Legal Handbook for Virginia School Administrators, 3rd edition, Omni Publishers. Randy has also written or edited numerous monographs and professional handbooks including The Virginia Principal – A Professional Practice Handbook. He has been an adjunct professor for Virginia Commonwealth University since 2004. In 2016 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Secondary School Principals. B.S. James Madison University, M.Ed. Virginia Commonwealth University, Ed.D. University of Virginia, Ph.D. Virginia Commonwealth University.
Ms. Jenna Conway
Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction
Governor Abigail Spanberger announced Jenna Conway as Virginia’s superintendent of public instruction on January 13, 2026.She serves as the executive officer of the Virginia Department of Education, which is the administrative agency for the commonwealth’s public schools, and as secretary of the state Board of Education. Jenna most recently served as the Chief of Early Learning and Specialized Populations spearheading Virginia’s efforts to strengthen its birth-to-five early childhood care and education system, ensuring every child is prepared for kindergarten and beyond. With more than a decade of transformative service at state education agencies including the Louisiana Department of Education, Jenna has driven measurable improvements in outcomes for children. Jenna holds degrees from Yale University, the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, and the Broad Education Residency.
Dr. Tim Healey
Acting State Coordinator
Mr. Timothy Beatty
Mr. Timothy Beatty, Principal, Heritage High School, Lynchburg Division Tim spent four years in the Lynchburg Division and two years in Roanoke City Division as a World History Teacher. He returned to the Lynchburg Division in July 2003 as an Assistant Principal at Heritage High School. Tim served as an assistant principal for four years and an associate principal for five years before being named principal at Heritage High School in 2012. He is currently a board member of the Educational Foundation at CVCC, Wilson Center For Leadership at Hampden-Sydney College and Partners In Education in Lynchburg City Schools. He has been a VASSP member since 2016. B.S. Hampden-Sydney College, M.S in Educational Leadership Radford University.
Dr. Herman Mizell
Dr. Herman Mizell, Principal, Langston Hughes Middle School, Fairfax County Division. Herman has served as an administrator at the elementary, middle, and high school levels with the Chesapeake Division, Richmond City Division, Loudoun Division, and Henrico Division. Prior to becoming an administrator, Herman taught English and public speaking in the Suffolk Division, Montgomery County Public Schools, MD, and in the Chesapeake Division. His mantra is “effort creates ability.” He has been a VASSP member since 2012. B.A. Norfolk State University, M.Ed. Virginia State University, Ed.D., Nova Southeastern University.
Dr. Donna H. Weingand
Dr. Donna H. Weingand, Principal, Hickory High School, Chesapeake Division. Donna began her career in 1996 as a high school English teacher in Chesapeake. After 14 years in the classroom and one year as an Instructional Skills Specialist in Human Resources, she joined the Great Bridge High School administrative team as an assistant principal. She was appointed as principal of Southeastern Elementary in 2017, and in 2020 was appointed as principal of Hickory High. Donna lives in Chesapeake and has three adult children. She has been a VASSP member since 2011, and was awarded the 2016 VASSP Outstanding Secondary School Assistant Principal of Virginia and the 2023 VSCA Administrator of the Year. She holds a B.A. in English, M.A. in American Literature, and an Ed.S. and Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, all from Old Dominion University.
Dr. Abe Jeffers
Dr. Abe Jeffers, Principal, Manchester High School, Chesterfield Division. Abe began his education career teaching science in 1992 and has served as a school building or division administrator for 27 years. He has taught or led in Tennessee, Ohio, Maryland, and D.C., and has been an administrator in Virginia since 2005. In Virginia, he has worked in rural, urban, and suburban divisions. In addition to his work in schools, Abe has also worked as a national facilitator for NCEE’s National Institute of School Leadership (NISL) program, currently serves on the Cognia Virginia State Council, served as a principal mentor for the Virginia Principal Mentor Pilot Program in 2023-24, and previously served on the VASSP Board from 2011-14. He was assistant principal and principal in the Fairfax County Division for nine years, assistant superintendent in Richmond City Division for four years, assistant superintendent in Mecklenburg Division for four years, principal in Spotsylvania Division for three years, and joined Chesterfield Division in 2025. Abe has been a VASSP member since 2007. B.A. University of Tennessee; M.Ed. University of Virginia; Ed.D. University of the Cumberlands.
Dr. Ashley Faaborg
Dr. Ashley Faaborg, Principal, Ni River Middle School, Spotsylvania Division. Ashley is an educator and leader with experience in science, special education, and administration. She began her career at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax County Division, where she taught for ten years. Ashley later served eight years as an assistant principal at the elementary and high school levels in Manassas City Public Schools before becoming Principal of Ni River Middle School in 2023. She is passionate about building vibrant school communities where students feel known, learning is engaging, and leadership is shared. Her work centers on ethical leadership, school culture, student voice, and continuous improvement. Ashley has presented at state, national, and international conferences. VASSP member since 2023. B.S., George Mason University; M.Ed., The George Washington University; Ed.S., University of Virginia; Ed.D., Virginia Tech.
Mr. Robert Stevens, II
Robert Stevens, II, Principal, Quioccasin Middle School, Henrico Division. With more than 22 years of experience in education, he has served as a teacher, assistant principal, associate principal, adjunct instructor, and mentor to students and educators alike. Prior to his current role, he was associate principal at CodeRVA Regional High School, where he supported innovative and equitable learning experiences. He has also taught business and marketing, coordinated student internships, and served as an adjunct instructor at Virginia Commonwealth University. Robert is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Virginia Tech. He joined VASSP in 2023. B.S.B.A. Old Dominion University, MBA Averett University, M.Ed. Virginia State University. Post-Master’s Certificate in Educational Leadership and Policy University of Richmond, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).