Pam was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Virginia March 13, 2004. She was born and raised in Martinsville, Virginia, and earned a B.S. Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and received her Doctorate Degree in Education Administration with her thesis on disability and public education. Pam has been a model, has taught kindergarten, third grade, community college courses and has served as a coordinator for the Piedmont Tech Prep Consortium at Patrick Henry Community College. She also worked for the Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority (ATLFA).

Pam will continue her mission of promoting education about available disability resources as she serves as President of the Ms. Wheelchair Virginia organization. Since her injury in May, 2001, Pam has continued to study, work, exercise, serve on local, regional, state and national boards for civic, educational, and business duties. She served on the Governor’s Commission for Community and National Services which focuses on non-profits and volunteerism and she was invited by the editor of Culpeper News to write her own monthly column for disability awareness in Virginia! Pam was chosen the 2nd place winner in the 32nd annual Ms. Wheelchair America Program on July 31, 2004. She travels throughout the state and nation speaking, and has devoted herself to the education and awareness of disability issues for all Americans.

Director of Occupational Therapy at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, Paige graduated from the Medical College of Virginia in 1987 with a degree in Occupational Therapy. She has served as adjunct faculty for the Roanoke College of Health Sciences and Shenandoah University. Additionally, she has guest lectured for the Medical College of Virginia and James Madison University. Her academic endeavors have focused on educating future health care professionals in spinal cord injury care and seating and positioning issues. She has presented at numerous professional conferences on topics related to spinal cord injury rehabilitation and assistive technology.

Born in Richmond, Virginia in 1962, David graduated from Henrico County's Douglas Freeman High School in 1980 and The University of Richmond in 1984. In 1990, he founded an accounting and business consulting firm, "David B. Robinson, CPA", which he merged with Chaney & Associates, Inc. to form "Chaney Robinson & Company, Inc." In 2005, LLC, he accepted the position of Vice President and Chief Financial officer of Diversified Restaurant Management and Consulting, Inc.

David is also a writer who's first paperback booklets, written in 1977, are now kept by colleges and universities and state libraries in their rare book rooms because they are definitive works on Virginia architecture. He wrote a weekly newsletter about entrepreneurialism from 1993 to 2005 and has written two small paperback pamphlets. He's also a seasoned public speaker and guest lecturer, and has previously taught college-level Principles of Accounting, and consults with other CPAs about target marketing and practice management issues.

In addition to Ms. Wheelchair Virginia, David is proud to be the Treasurer of several other Virginia not-for-profit organizations, including Art180, and The Firehouse Theatre Project. He also takes a leadership role with the finances of The James River Writers. He also is the pro bono adviser and tax preparer for five additional Virginia charities, and a board member of the Holocaust Education Committee of the Jewish Federation of Richmond (appointed in 1997) and of Randolph Macon College's Board of Associates.

Debra has an extensive background in Health Care for over 30 years. She has worked as a Music Therapist and Special Activities Supervisor in a Psychiatric Hospital. She then worked in Long Term Care as an Activities Director, Director of Social Services, Marketing, Admissions and later an Administrator of a Nursing Agency for both private duty in the home and staff relief in health care facilities. She served as Executive Director for the Ms. Wheelchair Virginia Organization until the transfer of operations to Dr. Pam Cobler and Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center. During Debra’s tenure as ED, MWVA was sponsored by Health First and it’s President Wayne Sale who brought the organization back to life after a fourteen-year absence. Debra is now the Community Care Coordinator for Health First and remains honored to serve on the Board of Directors for this incredible organization. She has always been a voice for her patients, residents, and staff. Working with the people of all ages and disabilities is rewarding to her.

"There is value in everyone; no one should be excluded from the experiences of an enriched and successful life. Every individual deserves dignity, respect, and opportunities to fulfill their dreams!" D. Willis

Trae is a native of Richmond, Virginia. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1984 with a degree in Business Administration, Management and Economics. After the completion of the Management Associate Program with what is now Wachovia Bank, he spent 16 years in Roanoke, Virginia. He was transferred back to Richmond approximately 5 years ago. Over his 22-year career in banking, he has held several different senior lending positions in commercial, corporate and real estate financial services and is currently Senior Vice President at BB&T responsible for all Real Estate and Special Assets for the Wealth Management Division and Trust Company. Most weekends are spent at his home on Smith Mountain Lake with his wife Jennifer. He enjoys golf, tennis and boating.

Donna L. Foster started her healthcare practice as a Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office in the Mental Health/Health Services Department representing several state agencies that serve the disabled including the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, The Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, The Virginia Industries for the Blind, and Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center. While an Assistant Attorney General Ms. Foster also participated in investigations conducted at Virginia’s mental health hospitals by the Virginia Attorney General’s Office and the Justice Department pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA). Ms. Foster also served as substitute counsel for several state licensing Boards including the Board of Psychology, Board of Medicine, Board of Nursing and Board of Dentistry.

 In 2000, Ms. Foster entered private practice at LeClair Ryan, where she became and still remains one of the go to persons for healthcare practitioners that request representation before the various state licensing boards within the Virginia Department of Health Professions including the Board of Social Workers, Board of Psychology, Board of Medicine, Board of Dentistry, Board of Veterinary Medicine, and Board of Funeral Home Directors and Embalmers, and various credentialing committees.

 Ms. Foster also defends hospitals, physicians, nursing homes, dentists and other healthcare providers in medical malpractice cases. Ms. Foster has won medical malpractice trials in Richmond, Newport News, Henrico, Hampton, Roanoke, Martinsville, and Williamsburg. Ms. Foster has successfully resolved cases in other venues such as Norfolk, Fredericksburg, Nottoway, Chesterfield, Christiansburg, Danville, Charlottesville and Henry County.

 Ms. Foster also counsels hospitals, physicians, and managed care organizations in patient care issues, medical staff relations, risk management. Ms. Foster frequently lectures on issues regarding medical records, informed consent, duty to warn, and the healthcare regulatory process.

 Ms. Foster belongs to the Defense Research Institute, Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, American Bar Association, and the Virginia State Bar.

William Edward Fuller, Ph. D. had Polio at age two and began using a wheelchair in 1988 when wheelchair technology and general accessibility improved to the point where he could travel more conveniently then on braces and crutches.

Dr. Fuller graduated from West Virginia University in 1973 with a degree in Social Work and began a career with the West Virginia Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.  Later he accepted an appointment as Director of Finance and Development at Grafton School in Berryville Va. a school for children with autism. Dr. Fuller earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Shenandoah University where he concentrated in Finance and Information management.  He served as Executive Director of Access Independence, an independent living center serving people with disabilities.  There Dr. Fuller developed accessible housing for people with very serious disabilities.  In 1995 Dr. Fuller designed the fiscal intermediary PAS system still in use in Virginia. In 1997 Dr. Fuller founded Paragon Consulting, to assist organizations, like HOME, Inc. develop accessible, affordable housing for people with disabilities.  He holds several prestigious awards including the President’s Award, The Disabled Businessman of the year award, and the National Disabled Scholar Award.  He is a former wheelchair athlete and four-time finisher of the Marine Corps Marathon.

Dr. Fuller was granted a Ph. D. in Urban Services from Virginia Commonwealth University where he concentrated in disability policy and real estate development.  He has published several books and articles in the field of disability policy and collaborated on a Legislative Housing Study for the Virginia General Assembly, Disability Commission.  Dr. Fuller was appointed to the position of Housing Initiatives Officer with the Virginia Housing Development Authority where he has continued to develop housing for people with disabilities.

Dr. Fuller has been appointed by Governor Warner to the Olmstead Planning Task Force, Serves as Vice Chairman of the Olmstead Community Integration Implementation Team and serves on the Disability Commission Housing Work Group.  He has served on the Board of Directors of Virginia Supportive Housing and the Virginia Housing Coalition.  Dr. Fuller was appointed by the Speaker of the House of the Virginia General Assembly to the Board of Commissioners of the Virginia Protection and Advocacy Office and the Virginia Community Integration Commission. 

Bob has worked in public education at the elementary, secondary, and university levels for the past 34 years.  He has served as a teacher, department head, coordinator, assistant principal, state supervisor, college instructor, state director, consultant, and is currently serving as special assistant to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.   In addition, he currently serves as national executive director/consultant for the P. Buckley Moss Foundation for Children’s Education, development officer for the Virginia Career Education Foundation, and on numerous boards and commissions for both public and private professional organizations.

He has worked with Ms Wheelchair Virginia (MWVA) for the past three years and was elected vice president of the MWVA Board of Directors.  He is a past president of the Richmond Unit of Parliamentarians, Virginia Business Education Association, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education Alumni Board, Bellevue Civic Association and P. Buckley Moss Board of Directors and former executive director of the Virginia Career and Technical Education Association (VCTEA) formerly Virginia Vocational Association.   Bob has served as a consultant for the Virginia Business Education Association (VBEA), Virginia Vocational Association (VVA), Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals (VASSP), Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA), Southern Business Education Association (SBEA), National Business Education Association (NBEA), Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE), Virginia Education Association (VEA), Virginia Commonwealth University Alumni Board, Combined Campaign Virginia, March of Dimes Organization, American Cancer Society, Heart Association, Association for the Research of Childhood Cancer (Medical College of Virginia), Richmond Technical Education Center, and Moss on the James Society Chapter.

Bob holds professional members in numerous professional and civic organizations and devotes countless hours of service throughout the year.  In addition, he enjoys working in his church with senior ministries and helping his 87 year old father continue his independence living in his own home.  He enjoys collecting antiques, traveling, spending time at the beach, and dinners and holidays with friends and family.   Bob is a “can do” person and likes a challenge with new and innovative programs, projects, and organizations.

Jamie Curott is the Main Anchor at WHSV News 3 in Harrisonburg, Virginia.  She graduated from Radford University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism.

Ms. Curott has anchored and reported in Georgia, Idaho, and Kentucky.  Before moving back home to Virginia, she was a Sports Reporter and Anchor. 

Ms. Curott is very active in the Valley.  She works with the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, supports the Gus Bus Reading Road Show and Book 'Em Foundation.  She also donates to numerous charities and participates in various station philanthropies throughout the year.  Ms. Curott also produces the breast cancer awareness segment, “You and Me on 3” and the health segment, "What's Going Around" for WHSV News 3.

President, Connections Access Consulting Services, LLC (CACS). As a person who has sustained a disability through injury, Ellen Shackelford is well aware of the many challenges people with disabilities face daily. She also knows people with disabilities are often overlooked in social situations and activities. As founder and president of Connections Access Consulting Services, LLC, she is dedicated to a service which will enhance the awareness and unconscious injustice of the aging population and Citizens with disabilities, so all will be included in social situations. CACS team goal is to serve as advocates by providing education through training and disability awareness programs necessary to address the importance of inclusion in an aging society.

Previously employed as a Youth Transition Coordinator at Insight Enterprises, Inc. Peninsula Center for Independent Living, has enlightened Ellen on the many facets of life the community was totally unaware in regards to people with disabilities. In addition, attendance at leadership programs: Partners in Policy Making, sponsored by Virginia Board for People with Disabilities; The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services of the U. S. Department of Education Rocky Mount Technical Assistance & Consulting Center and Dan Hopkins & Associations, Inc.; Team Facilitator Certificate, RGB Certificate.

Ellen is active in the disability community and holds several leadership roles. She is the Vice Chairperson for the Hampton Mayors Committee for People with Disabilities; Chairperson for Accessibility; Victims Advocate (trainee) M.A.D.D.; Peninsula Literacy Council Tutor volunteer. She is also a member of other committees, such as: State Wide Independent Living Council (SILC); Toast Masters International – CTM (competent toast master); Unity Diversity Commission, as Liaison; Diversity College/Facilitator, and Age & Abilities Expo (Secretary), and an Associate member of The Lett Group.

Ellen has received 1st runner up in the Ms. Wheelchair Virginia Pageant (2007-2008) held in Fishersville, Virginia. She lives in Hampton, Virginia and has a daughter in college and three grandchildren by her late son Jason R. Freeman.

Ms. Shackelford can be contacted at (757) 827-0783 or ln@cacsllc.info

Ms. Wheelchair Virginia, Inc.
P.O. Box 1500, W-513
Fishersville, VA 22939-1500
800-345-WWRC (Ext. 7905)  or  540-332-7905

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