Meet Our 2023 Speakers
These are the speakers who will present at this year’s annual meeting. We look forward to hearing from them as they provide timely information, encouragement, and vision for the administration of our elections.
JoAnne Speiden
President, VEBA
JoAnne Speiden is the current president of VEBA. She also serves on the Electoral Board of Orange County,
Susan Beals
Virginia Elections Commissioner
Susan Beals was appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin as the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Elections in March 2022. Prior to her appointment, she was a member of the Chesterfield County Electoral Board for three years, serving as both Chair (2019-2021) and Secretary (2021-2022). Throughout her career, Beals has staffed campaigns for state senate, governor, U.S. House and U.S. Senate. She has also worked as a legislative aide at the state and federal levels. She and her husband have two teenagers and reside in Chesterfield County, Virginia.
Alan Gernhardt, Esq.
Executive Director, Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council
Alan Gernhardt is the Executive Director of the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council. He began working with the Council as a staff attorney in 2004, was promoted to senior attorney in 2008, and became executive director of the Council in 2017. He earned a B.S. degree from Indiana University and a J.D. from the University of Richmond, T.C. Williams School of Law. The Council issues formal and informal advisory opinions, publishes educational materials, provides training presentations, and serves as a legislative forum regarding access to public records and meetings under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
Karen Karney
Executive Director, Blue Ridge Independent Living Center
Karen Karney has been Executive Director of the Blue Ridge Independent Living Center, Roanoke, since it started in 1989. She serves as Vice-President of the Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living. She is also past Chair of the Statewide Independent Living Council. Locally, she serves on the Board of the Western Virginia Workforce Development Board, Greater Roanoke Transit Company, and the Roanoke Redevelopment & Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.
Dr. Edward Long
Parliamentarian
Dr. Edward Long has been a certified parliamentarian since 2015. He has served in a parliamentarian role to non-political and political activities and drafted By-Laws for a number of organizations. He serves as an Officer of Election in Augusta County.
Dr. Long is a former NASA Physicist who since retirement has been a consultant to government agencies, private corporations, and members of the Congress and the General Assembly.
John Nunnally
First Vice-president of VEBA
John Nunnally currently serves as the First Vice-president of VEBA.
Barbara Tabb
Immediate Past President of VEBA
Barbara Tabb currently serves as the Immediate Past President of VEBA.
Angelia Vernon
Roanoke City’s Director of Human Resources
Angelia Vernon serves as Roanoke City’s Director of Human Resources. Angelia has been with the organization since 2002 and started her career at the Berglund Center formerly the Roanoke Civic Center. Today, as the Director of Human Resources, she develops policy and directs and coordinates all human resources activities, such as employment, compensation, labor relations, benefits, training, and employee services.