Melody Hotek joined the Samuels Library Board of Trustees in July 2021 and became President in July 2023.  She served on the Friends of Samuels Library (FOSL) for six years, 5 of those as President and was the representative to the Board of Trustees during that time reporting on FOSL activities. FOSL soon took charge of the annual book sale and in 2017 opened the Epilogue Bookstore, which subsequently increased the group’s annual income and ability to fulfill its mission to support Samuels Library.

With over 25 years’ experience in the nonprofit world, she has helped FOSL become a 501(c)(3), served for 10 years as President of the Front Royal Warren County Tree Stewards, served on the Board and then worked as Director of Operations at the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons(NVRC) a (501(c)(3), managing the budget, operations and events until early 2012. Prior to that she was employed at Grossberg Company CPAs, a mid-size accounting firm where she was introduced to tax filings and audits of nonprofits.

This background in administration and events enabled her to assist with the Library’s Annual Fundraiser “A Taste for Books” since 2016, raising an average of $20,000 per year. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree, magna cum laude, starting out in Art and finishing in Senior Healthcare. Working on “A Taste for Books” fulfills her artistic and creative itch and affords meaningful engagement with businesses, hosts, local agencies, artists, musicians, patrons and the amazing staff of Samuels Library.

Along with her husband Jeff they retired in 2012 to Front Royal with land on the Shenandoah River and a view of Skyline Drive. Jeff, a true bookworm, was also an active volunteer at the Library and upon his passing he left a restricted gift as seed money to start an amphitheater for the community at the Library he loved so dearly. Unfortunately this project has been put on hold due to recent controversies.

Melody’s joy is being Grandma to her blended family of 6 adult children and nine grandchildren.  Three of her grown children own homes in Warren County and together, two families live in the Fork District and two live in the Happy Creek District.  One has her own business on Main Street, one is a nurse commuting to Loudoun County and one works from home, also in the nonprofit world.  Four (4) of the grandchildren live nearby attending 3 of the County’s public schools. Large get-togethers are frequent and filled with laughter and love as they capture the moments.

A proven leader with a passion for service and a vision for progress, Mr. Whitlow (Whitlow) joined the Board in July 2023 and now serves as Vice President of the Samuels Public Library Board of Trustees. He is a member of the Executive and Trustees Committees and Chair of the Development Committee, where he advances the library’s mission and champions its growth.

As a United States Marine Corps veteran with a background in the trades, he blends hands-on experience with strategic insight. His leadership drives key initiatives such as fundraising, comprehensive planning, community engagement, and trustee development, ensuring the library remains an essential resource for the community.

An accomplished entrepreneur, he has founded and managed successful businesses in remodeling and digital media. Through his expertise in ecosystem marketing, Whitlow has elevated brands, fostered community engagement, and driven economic growth in Warren County. His roles on the Warren County Building Committee and Warren County Tourism Committee reflect his dedication to strengthening local infrastructure and promoting the area as a premier destination.

Previously, Whitlow served on the Town of Front Royal's Board of Architectural Review during a transformative period of revitalization. His contributions helped preserve the town's charm while fostering innovation, shaping its identity for future generations.

His creative approach extends to hallmark events such as the Virginia Wine and Craft Festival and the award-winning Festival of Leaves, where his efforts have boosted tourism, strengthened businesses, and increased community participation. Whitlow’s innovative social media campaign for the Global Day of Unplugging also secured Warren County’s recognition as an official Unplugged Village on a national scale.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Whitlow supports numerous organizations, including the Empty Bowl Supper, H.A.R.T., the Warren Coalition, the Salvation Army, and the Front Royal-Warren County Chamber of Commerce. More recently, he was honored with an invitation to judge at a regional Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) competition, reinforcing his support for aspiring entrepreneurs.

As a proud Rotarian he contributes to service projects such as Camp Fantastic, Doc Smith Christmas Baskets, and initiatives benefiting local non-profits and student scholarships. These experiences deepen his understanding of community needs and reinforce his results-driven approach to creating meaningful impact.

In his personal time, he enjoys restoring classic cars, exploring small towns, and cooking—expressing his creativity and a passion for preservation.  The Whitlow family resides in the Shenandoah District.

Michelle Leasure joined the Samuels Library, Inc. Board of Trustees in July, 2022 and currently serves as the Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee.   Prior to joining the Samuels Board, Michelle served as Treasurer on the WICT - Virginia (Women in Cable and Telecommunications) Board from January 2021 to December 2023.

With over 30 years of telecommunication and cable experience, Michelle has held positions in Finance, Information Technology, Engineering and Marketing.  Most of her time has been spent in Finance in the field of Revenue and Margin Assurance. Michelle has a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in accounting from Ohio State University. 

Michelle has been married to her husband, Derrick, for 25 years.  They have 2 children, a son in college and a daughter who is a senior in high school.  Michelle and her family are members of St. John’s Catholic Church. In California, Michelle served as the Catholic advisor to the ‘Order of St. Michael’, an organization for high school Catholics at the Army and Navy Academy.

Desiring to give back to the community, Michelle applied to be a member of the library board and found it to be a perfect volunteer opportunity to utilize her financial skills.  The Leasure family resides in the Shenandoah District.

Madeline Hickman has a diverse background and an active role in her community! Her involvement with the Samuels Public Library Board of Trustees since 2017 highlights her dedication to local organizations, especially through her roles on the Committee on Trustees, Development Committee, and as Secretary on the Executive Committee.

Madeline’s work experience spans various industries, including food service, bookkeeping, and home improvement sales. Additionally, her position as the display advertising rep at the Northern Virginia Daily newspaper since 2012 gives her a solid understanding of media and community engagement.

On a personal level, she enjoys hobbies like cooking, crafting, and watching reality TV. It seems she’s not only committed to her professional and volunteer roles but also enjoys creativity and leisure activities. The Hickman family live in the Fork district and are well-rooted in their community.

Lewis Edward Moten III, known as Lewie, joined the Board of Trustees in July 2023. He is currently on the Executive Committee as the Trustee at Large and serves on both the Strategic Planning and the Policy & Bylaws Committees.

With a background in Information Technology from the University of Phoenix, he has worked at several respected companies including Computer Sciences Corporation, Analysis Research Planning Corporation, digitalNATION, Vii Medical, and Decipher Technology Studios. His diverse client portfolio includes major organizations such as NASA, USCIS, the State Department, US Pacific Fleet, and Deltek, where he focused on financial systems, asbestos claims, prospectus reports, nuclear counterproliferation, congressional reporting, and synchronizing data between NIPR/SIPR networks.

Lewie’s dedication to accessibility and inclusivity is a cornerstone of his work. From his early days at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Lewie has been dedicated to accessibility, inclusivity and intellectual freedom.  He has contributed open-source programs, several of which have received recognition and awards, emphasizing his passion for digital inclusivity.

Lewie’s personal journey gives him a deep understanding of empathy and resilience. Growing up with learning disabilities, he struggled through much of his public education. His mother’s encouragement to visit the library to help improve his reading comprehension shaped his determination to support others facing similar challenges.  He is actively developing programs to teach teens and adults technical skills to thrive in today’s digital world.

Certified in First Aid, CPR, AED, and trained in Narcan administration, Lewie is always ready to assist in emergencies, further demonstrating his dedication to the safety and well-being of his community. His ongoing commitment to giving back is also reflected in his role as a blood donor to the American Red Cross.

Lewie is an alumnus of the Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce Leadership program, has served on the Board of Zoning Appeals, is a proud Freemason and Shriner, supports numerous charitable causes and hails from the North River District where he dotes on his two dogs.

An active volunteer in the Warren County community, Celeste Brooks readily shares her 20 years of nonprofit experience with the Samuels Public Library Board of Trustees. She began her tenure in July 2017. She chairs the Committee on Trustees, working to implement procedures and changes to the recruitment/application process as the needs of the library have evolved. During her time on the board, she also served on the Executive Committee–one year as Vice President and one year as Member-at-Large–and on the Development Committee.

A graduate of Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY, Celeste started her career as a technical editor with IBM, then worked as a civilian public affairs officer for the Air Force. Celeste and Kevin, her husband of over 30 years, arrived in the Fork District of Warren County in 1999 to work at Randolph-Macon Academy. She served as the Assistant Director of Admissions for three years, then was promoted to Director of Public Relations in 2002. She remained in that position until 2020, receiving numerous quarterly awards from the Academy during her tenure, and was the lead organizer of the school’s 125th anniversary events in 2017.

Celeste is now the Community Outreach Coordinator of the Warren Coalition. There she has continued serving as a jack-of-all trades, handling the website, social media, event organization, fundraising, development, media releases, advertising, and general community outreach efforts. She has been the co-lead for the internationally recognized We See You, Warren County campaign that encourages everyone in Warren County to acknowledge others and build a resilient community. She was the initiator and lead for Warren County IRL, a Global Day of Unplugging event that brought international notice to the community when the County was named an Unplugged Village.

In addition to working at nonprofits, Celeste has volunteered on several local boards over the years. In 2003, she joined the Downtown Business Association (now Downtown Front Royal) and was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2006. In 2008, she was invited to become a board member of the new Front Royal Police Foundation, serving a term as president of the latter organization. Celeste has been a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board for well over a decade, holding the position of vice chair, and now serving as secretary. She and Kevin are members of Bennett’s Chapel in the Rivermont area, where she is engaged as the praise team coordinator. Celeste is also a member of the Rotary Club of Warren County, serving as the newsletter editor for the Club.

Celeste was named Downtown Front Royal’s Citizen of the Year in 2009 and honored with the Lucy Kephart Award from the Salvation Army in 2012. 

When not working, volunteering, or singing, Celeste may be found baking, reading, hiking, working in her yard, or watching TV with a cat on her lap and her dog Roxi curled up next to her.

Lisa has been a resident of Warren County and a patron of Samuels Library since 1985. Representing the North River District, Lisa Cobb joined the Board in 2019. She serves on the Development Committee, has previously been a member of the Finance and Executive Committee as Vice President, and is the coordinator of the Annual Jigsaw Puzzle competition each January.

A graduate of St.John’s College, Lisa began her career at Randolph-Macon Academy (RMA) as a teacher. After completing a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership at George Mason University, she served as a principal for five years at RMA’s Middle School. For the next twenty years, Lisa worked as an assistant principal in Winchester Public Schools. She earned her Doctorate in Organizational Leadership at Shenandoah University in 2014 and currently manages a federal grant providing mental health services to students in public schools.

Lisa was previously a member of the Warren County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee and the Alpha Delta Kappa Honorary Society for Women Educators. She has served on several leadership committees in the Winchester community and at Shenandoah University where she also presented at the Children’s Literature Conference.

Samuels Library has always been an important part of Lisa’s family life. As a young mother she operated a home daycare in Front Royal and the library provided a daily celebration of reading for the children. In the library’s book discussion group, she met other readers in the community and explored new ideas. The Samuels Holiday Writing Contest inspired her young daughter to write her first story and read it aloud to an audience at the library, an experience that nurtured life-long skills. And now she brings her grandchildren to the library to discover the joy of books just as their father did 35 years ago.

Because Samuels library is a cherished part of their lives, Lisa and her husband, Jonathan Ezell, made a planned gift as a legacy to the library. She encourages everyone who wants to support Samuels to consider doing the same. While there are many personal reasons, there are also important civic reasons to support the library. Lisa believes the public library is one of the most important institutions in our democracy. It is critical to develop informed and productive citizens and a powerful resource in building community.

Kimberly B. W. Emerson began her present term on the Board of Trustees on July 1, 2024. Kim presently is the chair of the Policies & Bylaws Committee.  During her previous tenure on the Board of Trustees from 2014 to 2023, she served on the Finance Committee, Executive Committee, Bylaws Committee (Chair), and as the Vice President of the Board of Trustees.

Kim is an attorney, who is a partner at Struckmann, White & Wiseley PC in Front Royal, Virginia. She presently focuses her practice on real estate law, family law, civil litigation, and collection matters. Kim routinely serves as a guardian ad litem for children and incapacitated adults. In addition to being licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia for twenty years, Kim is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Virginia.     

Kim received her juris doctor from the University of Richmond School of Law, where she graduated magna cum laude and served as an Articles Editor on the University of Richmond Law Review. Prior to attending law school, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude from Bridgewater College, majoring in political science with a minor in Spanish.

In addition to serving on the Board of Trustees, Kim presently is the President of the Warren County Bar, Inc.  She has previously been a member of the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army in Front Royal and the Best Practices Group for the Warren County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court. Kim previously taught real estate, bankruptcy, contracts, and legal research in the legal administration program at Laurel Ridge Community College.

Kim lives in the Fork District with her husband and two (2) young children. She enjoys spending time with her family, camping, traveling, participating on her church’s praise team, and teaching youth Sunday school.

Scott Jenkins joined the Samuels Library, Inc. Board of Trustees in July, 2024 and currently serves on the Finance and Development Committees. Prior to joining the Samuels Board, Scott served on the Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority (May 2021 to February 2024), filling the role of Chairman from February 2023 to February 2024.

As co-owners of Mountain Home Bed & Breakfast, located on Remount Road in the South River District, Scott and Lisa (his wife of 38 years) established a thriving business that draws visitors from around the globe. Scott’s business and personal interests complement Warren County’s small business, tourism, restaurant, and recreation sectors – giving him valuable insight into promoting and sustaining our community’s varied assets. In operation since 2013, Mountain Home has welcomed more than 20,000 visitors to Front Royal-Warren County.

With over 32 years of technology management and system integration experience, Scott’s record of achievement includes Sprint, Ericsson Services, Inc., IBM, AT&T, MCI, and Andersen Consulting. He has a Master’s Degree in Management from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Richmond.

As a parent, Scott supported youth development through various leadership roles within the Boy Scouts of America, as a church youth group leader, as a middle school Sunday School teacher, and as a member of the board of directors for Camp Highroad – a United Methodist Church camp near Middleburg, VA. An avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast, Scott completed “thru-hikes” of the Appalachian Trail in 2012 and the Tuscarora Trail in 2020. He is an active member of the Front Royal-Warren County Appalachian Trail Community’s steering committee.  Along with his wife, Lisa, he serves as a “shelter maintainer” in nearby George Washington National Forest. Scott and Lisa have adopted a two-mile stretch of Remount Road for roadside cleanups.

Ed Richards joined the Library Board of Trustees in July, 2023 and serves on both the Strategic Planning and the Bylaws/Policy Committee. As a native of Williamsburg, Virginia Ed graduated from James Blair High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music Education from Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music in Winchester, Virginia.

Ed is well known in the County for his musical acumen as a leader, a founder and co-director of the American Legion Community Band, a volunteer position he has held since 1986.

For 43 years Ed served as Director of Music and Bandmaster at Randolph Macon Academy, where he directed the award-winning Randolph-Macon Academy Band. At R-MA, he was Chairman of the Fine Arts Department, taught Band, Chorus and Handbell Choir in the Upper School and Band, Beginning Woodwinds, Beginning Brass, Beginning Percussion and General Music in the Middle School, and he coordinated the private music lessons program. Over the years at R-MA, he has fulfilled many other temporary roles including serving as Academic Dean and Middle School Administrator.

In addition to his duties at the Academy, Ed served 37 years with the Military School Band Association as treasurer and organizer of the Association's annual Military School Band Festival, a three-day clinic for the top musicians and directors from military academies and colleges from across the nation.

Ed's band traveled extensively throughout the United States and winning numerous championships and awards. His personal honors and awards include Outstanding Educator at Randolph-Macon Academy by The United Methodist Foundation for Christian Higher Education, Exemplary Teacher Award from The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church, Honorary Conductor of The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes, and Teacher of the Year at Randolph-Macon Academy.  Ed retired in 2021 and upon his retirement, he was made an Honorary Graduate of Randolph-Macon Academy.

Since his retirement from teaching at Randolph-Macon Academy, Ed keeps busy working for Varsity Travel/Schrock, Inc. in Winchester where he drives motorcoaches and is their lead motorcoach driver training instructor. Ed lives just over the Warren County line in Chester Gap with his Australian Shepherd, Scout.

Joan currently serves as Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee of the Samuels Library Board of Trustees having served in many roles throughout the years including as President of both this Board and the Friends of Samuels Library. In addition, Joan is an active volunteer in the Library and in the Epilogue Bookstore.

Joan started her professional life as a social worker at Norfolk Social Services after graduating from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and later with a Master of Science in Education with an emphasis on guidance and counseling, a Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University, and a post graduate certificate in marriage and family therapy.

Her career path led to medical social work. She was employed as an oncology social worker for five years. Over the next 11 years she worked as part of hospice care teams at two different hospice programs serving as a social worker or as the director for the social work/ counseling services department. Joan also was employed at the National Hospice Organization where she served as a National Council of Hospice Professionals Section Manager offering technical information and education to member hospice organizations.  Joan was truly honored to be invited into the lives of individuals as they entered the final stage of their lives and to assist and support their families who sought to care for their loved ones at home. The hospice team worked well together to ensure quality end of life care. It certainly brought things into perspective.

Joan and her husband moved to Warren County’s Fork District in 2002 to enjoy a semi-retirement. The decision to retire to Warren County was made in the mid 1980’s so that they could be close to the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In 2002 Joan began to volunteer at St Luke Community Clinic and became committed to helping residents of Warren County who could not afford health insurance obtain necessary care. From being a volunteer, she became the clinic’s volunteer coordinator under a Faith in Action grant and finally the organization’s Executive Director. Upon full retirement Joan again assumed the role of volunteer at the clinic. During her residence in Warren County, she has served on the Boards of Directors for Northwestern Community Service Board, the Friends of Samuels Library, and the Board of Trustees for Samuels Library.

The Richardson family enjoy hiking, reading good books, gardening, and traveling. The family also looks forward to the preparation and sharing of good food with friends and family.

Kate Trosch joined the Samuels Library Inc.’s Board of Trustees in July 2024 and is a current member of the Finance Committee. She serves on the Finance Committee and the Committee on Trustees.

Kate brings her accounting expertise to the Board, having worked for 32 years in the profession. Kate began her career conducting audits for the Department of Defense Inspector General, and later moved into the field of Public Accounting. Kate spent 12 years in the field of Public Accounting, with 9 of those years spent with McGladrey & Pullen, LLP focused on auditing and advising Nonprofit and Government Contracting companies. Kate maintained her CPA license in Virginia, Maryland, and California as required during her career in public accounting, and remains a consultant to a nonprofit educational/child care facility in Tysons Corner with a $4 million budget.

Kate holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a focus in Accounting from St. Bonaventure University, located in western New York State. During her time as a student at St. Bonaventure University, she was involved with Mt. Irenaeus, a Franciscan Mountain Retreat that serves the students of St. Bonaventure as well as the needs of the local community. In 2014 Kate became a member of their Board of Trustees, serving in various roles since that date as Chair of the Board, Treasurer, and currently Vice-Chair.

Kate has also participated as a Treasurer or Officer for nonprofit organizations, including the Mosby Overlook Estates Property Owner’s Association. As a parent to two children – now both post-college and college-aged, she was an officer of different school organizations such as the Langley High School Choral Guild (President and Vice-President) and the Langley High School Band Association (Treasurer).

Kate and her husband Dave (married 29 years) have been property owners in the Happy Creek District since 2008, and were able to move full time to Warren County in 2022. Kate spends much of her free time reading and participating in book clubs. She also enjoys hiking in the area, as well as traveling with friends and family.