Introducing new board members Matthew W. Light, Beverly McGowan, and Annette Paxton

Photos by Jon Styer, At Ease Design Co.

Three new members have joined the board of directors of The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham.

“At our November board meeting, we welcomed Beverly McGowan, Matthew W. Light, and Annette Paxton to service. We thank them for their commitment and dedication of their expertise to the foundation and to our community,” said Revlan Hill, executive director.

TCFHR’s board is comprised of professionals from a range of backgrounds. To view all board members, click here.

Matthew W. Light

Matthew W. Light has practiced law in Harrisonburg for 23 years. He is a partner at BotkinRose PLC, assisting clients with corporate and general business matters, contracts, real estate, succession planning, and a broad range of financing, purchase, and sale transactions. He often guides families through the estate administration process. His experience with local governments includes his current role as town attorney for Broadway and a current appointment as commissioner in chancery for the county circuit court.

Matt represents Harrisonburg as a director of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Regional Sewer Authority. Past service includes the Shenandoah  Valley  Technology  Council  and Massanutten Regional Library.

He is also an adjunct professor at his law school alma mater, Washington  and  Lee  University in Lexington.

Before joining BotkinRose, he practiced law for 13 years at a large local firm and also served for five years as associate pastor of an evangelical church.

A recognized expert in Fenton Art Glass, Matt maintains a hobby business dealing in vintage Fenton pieces. He lives with his wife and two children in Harrisonburg.

Beverly McGowan

Beverly McGowan and her husband Dr. John McGowan have been Harrisonburg city residents since 1987. She has been active on church and community boards for nearly 30 years.

Beverly currently serves on the Rockingham Health Care Board.

While on the Blue Ridge Community College Board, she was the appointed representative to the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation Board and participated in finance, facilities and development committees. Other board service includes First Step, the Massanutten Regional Library, and the Owner’s Club at The Homestead, where she was both secretary and treasurer.

At Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, she has served on the Parish Council and the Finance Council. Among memorable special projects, Bev led a two-year restoration of the church’s stained-glass windows and a one-year renovation of the entrance to the sanctuary.

Beverly and John have three adult children.

Annette Paxton

Annette Paxton, a retired educator, has served on the foundation’s grants and scholarships committee for two terms. She worked as a school counselor in Rockingham County Schools, with her final role as director of counseling at Broadway High School. Annette also worked in student affairs at James Madison University and as a licensed professional counselor at Harrisonburg Rockingham Community Services Board.

She earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees at James Madison University.

Annette volunteers with the Corner Cupboard Food Pantry and other ministries at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, where the couple have been members for more than 40 years.

Annette and her husband Joe, a retired county administrator, live in the Broadway area. They enjoy travelling and spending time with their three children and five grandchildren.