The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of four new members to its Board of Directors. Rhonda Hodges, Tad Deriso, Chris Eastwood and Dr. Betty Jo Foster were confirmed as Elected Directors. In addition, four representatives from the IALR Board of Trustees – Mark Holland, Leslie Mantiply, Donald Merricks and Kunal Patel – have also joined the Foundation Board.
These appointments were confirmed during a joint meeting of the IALR Board of Trustees and the IALR Foundation held on Aug. 14.
Rhonda Hodges is President of Hodges WorkWise LLC, a workforce development consulting and training firm. She retired from Patrick & Henry Community College in 2025 after nearly three decades of workforce, economic and community development leadership.
“I have had the opportunity to partner with IALR on several regional workforce development programs and observe firsthand the impactful work they do. I am excited to join the IALR Foundation Board to assist IALR in securing and stewarding resources to advance the mission of being a regional catalyst for economic transformation,” said Hodges.
Tad Deriso has served as President and CEO of Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation since 2005, leading efforts to expand fiber infrastructure, attract technology businesses and strengthen economic development in Southern Virginia.
“I’m excited to serve on the IALR Foundation Board and contribute to its mission of driving economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Through my work at MBC, I’ve seen firsthand how strategic infrastructure investments can unlock opportunity and foster long-term growth. I look forward to helping the Foundation expand its impact by supporting initiatives that strengthen regional collaboration and innovation,” said Deriso.
Chris Eastwood has spent 26 years as a financial advisor with Edward Jones, working primarily with retirees and business owners. Eastwood has served on several other community boards, including the Danville Regional Foundation, Danville Community College, Danville Life Saving Crew and Olde Dominion Agricultural Foundation.
“The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research has played a vital role in the economic transformation of the Dan River Region. I’m excited to have the opportunity to be a part of such impactful work,” Eastwood said.
Dr. Betty Jo Foster has longstanding connections to IALR, having previously served on the Board of Trustees and as Interim President. She has also served as Interim President for Danville Community College and Central Community College and the Interim President and Chief Executive Officer for the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce.
“I believe strongly that IALR continues to make a huge impact on the economic transformation of this region,” Foster said. “I am looking forward to serving on the IALR Foundation Board of Directors to support and promote IALR’s work in all five areas of research, advanced learning, economic development, manufacturing advancement, and conference services.”
The IALR Foundation advances IALR’s mission to serve as a regional catalyst for economic transformation by securing and stewarding philanthropic resources. The Foundation supports applied research, advanced learning, manufacturing advancement, economic development and conference services while investing in initiatives that drive innovation, workforce development and long-term community growth.
The current Foundation Board includes: Tad Deriso, Chris Eastwood, Dr. Betty Jo Foster, Don Gibson, Rhonda Hodges, Mark Holland, Leslie Mantiply (President), Donald Merricks, Kunal Patel (Vice President) and IALR President Telly Tucker (ex officio).
