Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare Board

Type: Board

Meeting Frequency: As determined by the Board

Contact: BRBHC Contact, Chasity Means, (540) 345-9841; [email protected]

(*) Denotes Board Appointee

MemberTerm of OfficeEligible for Reappointment
Michael Waldvogel12/31/24Yes
Edward Garner12/31/25Yes
Patrick Kenney*12/31/25Yes
Daniel Karnes12/31/26Yes
Colonel Bobby Russell*12/31/24Yes
Helen Ferguson*12/31/23Yes

Purpose: The Board and Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare will serve as an operating Community Services Board formed pursuant to Section 37.1-194, et. seq., of the Code of Virginia, providing a system of comprehensive community mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse services for the benefit and under the control of the Cities of Roanoke and Salem and Counties of Botetourt, Craig and Roanoke. Relate and integrate existing and planned programs. Assure quality service and continuity of care in the areas of emergency services, case management, prevention, case finding, consultation, diagnosis, treatment, care, training, prescreening, case and rehabilitation by the establishment of new programs under direct administration of Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare and the Board where current programs are nonexistent or inadequate, or by entering into affiliatory agreements with agencies already providing services for the enhancement of those services, or for the creation of such services. To provide continuing education to the public, ongoing research, training of personnel and evaluation of ongoing programs. 

The Council's of the Cities of Roanoke and Salem, and the Board of Supervisors of the Counties of Botetourt and Roanoke, shall each appoint three Members, while the County of Craig shall appoint one Member to the Board. The Board shall further nominate three persons to serve as Members who must be appointed by the five political subdivisions in the manner provided in Sec. 5.b. If the immediate past Chair of the board is not reappointed as an Appointee because he is ineligible to serve another term pursuant to Sec. 4, then he shall serve as an advisor to the Board for an additional one year term.

Board Nominee Appointees: The Board shall submit the name of a Board Nominee to each Local Political Subdivision for approval. If any Local Political Subdivision disapproves, the Board shall reconsider and submit a name until a majority of the Local Political Subdivisions approve.


(See By-Laws for complete regulations. Resolution No. 36989-030705.)

Note - 3 Members Appointed to the Board and 3 Board Nominee Appointees
* - indicates Board Nominee Appointees