EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Hello, I’m Caleb Lafoon and I am the Executive Director of Avoca Museum. I began working at Avoca in late 2021. Prior to my appointment as Director, I worked in Academic Administration at Liberty University. While at Liberty, I received a Bachelor of Science in History and a Master of Public Administration in Business and Government. I have a special connection with Avoca as I was married on the grounds of the museum in 2019.

I live with my wife and two dogs in Madison Heights, VA. Outside of Avoca, I enjoys a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, recreational shooting, camping and fly fishing. I equally enjoys spending time with friends, family and traveling to new places whenever possible.

EVENTS COORDINATOR

Hi, I'm Gayle Puckette! I've been a member & volunteer at Avoca for sometime now.  I have years of experience in Party planning and working with the public in customer service and sales. There are so many opportunities here for volunteers that are fun and rewarding.  My dream is for the Avoca Museum to be recognized as a go to destination here in  Central Virginia.  We have a beautiful space that can be used for many events as well as weddings.  

I've lived in Altavista for 23 years. I moved from Illinois to Altavista in 1999. I'm married to Eddie Puckette. We have a blended family of 5 children, 10 grandchildren and our 6 year old Chiweenie-Abbey.  Eddie and I love to travel, hang out with friends and do home improvements. We volunteer at our church, Altavista High School Colonel Club and Avoca.  

ASSOCIATE CURATOR

Hello! My name is Hannah Wood. I’m the Associate Curator at Avoca Museum and Historical Society. I am originally from the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina, but moved to Lynchburg in 2019 to attend Liberty University. I graduated in 2023 with my Bachelor of Science in History. I have been involved with Avoca Museum as both a volunteer and an intern since early 2022. Before my graduation from Liberty University, I volunteered with the Library of Congress, the Jerry Falwell Library Archives, and interned in a Washington D.C. area historic house museum. Outside of work, I enjoy trying new coffee shops, traveling, reading, and antiquing.

It is my passion that all aspects of history be preserved so that future generations can continue to learn from the past!

PRESIDENT

Joan Woodson has served on the Board of Directors since 1995. She has served as Secretary and currently, President. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education and her M.Ed in Administration, Supervision and the Elementary Principalship. She worked in the Campbell County School System as a Teacher, Asst. Principal, Principal, and Director of Federal Programs, during which time she participated in related Professional organizations. Over the years, she has served on several community volunteer organization boards, including the Altavista Chamber of Commerce, Altavista On Track, Altavista YMCA, and the Elpis Center. She has been active in many capacities in her church. She has been named "Teacher of the Year" and "Citizen of the Year" for the town of Altavista.

VICE PRESIDENT

Rusty Hicks has been involved with Avoca Museum since its inception as a public entity in 1982. He has served on the Board of Directors since 1986. He has been a member of the Board of Directors for Lynchburg, Virginia’s Old City Cemetery and Bedford Museum. He has been a longstanding member of the Lynchburg, Virginia Civil War Round Table and Campbell County Public Library Foundation. He has also served with the local Rotary Club. Rusty holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the College of William and Mary. He is currently employed as the Tax Director for Brown, Edwards, and Company.

SECRETARY

Beth Farmer is an insurance professional employed by Legal and General, multi-national financial asset firm based in London, England. Additionally, she is an award-winning, professional natural light photographer specializing in portrait, special event, and wall art photography. She volunteers in many community events, often contributing her photography talents. Raised in Altavista, Beth lived and worked in Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, and Maryland before returning home to rejoin and contribute to our community. She is married to Michael Farmer and together they have six children.

TREASURER

Teresa Stallard is an educator currently teaching 6th grade History at Altavista Combined School. Teresa has been a lifetime resident of Altavista and has previously served as a Girl Scout leader and a member of the Altavista Combined School Band Boosters. Teresa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lynchburg College and an Associate’s degree in business from Central Virginia Community College. She is an active member of the Avoca Museums and Historical Society Board of Directors and previously served as Board Secretary. She served as a member of the Staunton River Woman's Club where she held offices of President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary.

BOARD MEMBER

Terri is an Altavista native who has held several positions at Abbott Nutrition, owned two businesses in Altavista: River’s Bend Farm boarding horses & Airabella Flowers & Gifts. She works at Sweet Peas on Main in Gretna, part-time at Finch & Finch Funeral Home and recently joined as a board member of Avoca Museum & Historical Society. She is married to Phil Dews and has 2 children, Trae & Elliott. She loves spending time with her family, animals, meeting & helping people and traveling.

BOARD MEMBER

Andy McCracken has been on the Avoca Board of Directors since the Spring of 2023. McCracken holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from The University of South Carolina and a Masters of Education in School Administration from the University of Virginia. He recently retired after a thirty year career as an educator in the Campbell County School system having served as a teacher, coach and school administrator. He was named Teacher of the Year at Altavista Combined School as well as winning multiple Coach of the Year honors in the Seminole and Dogwood Districts in Cross Country and Track and Field. He currently works part-time at Yeatts Transfer and is the President of the Board of Directors of the Altavista Volunteer Fire Company.

BOARD MEMBER

Virginia Clark has served on the Board of Directors since 1997 or 1998. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education. She also holds a Master of Education degree with a concentration in Educational Leadership for Middle and High Schools. Virginia spent her entire educational career with Campbell County Schools as a teacher for 21 years and administrator for 16 years. She retired in 2007 after 37 years of service. She was an active member of the VEA, NEA and CCEA during her teaching career. She was recognized as Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Altavista area Chamber of Commerce in 1984. She was selected by her peers from Altavista High for this special honor. Virginia served a term on the Altavista area YMCA Board of Directors beginning in 1996. She is presently beginning a term on the Board of Directors of The Otter River Resource Center.

BOARD MEMBER

Debbie Lewis is a local entrepreneur. She and her husband Mike are owners/operators of Dairy Queen restaurant in Gretna, VA. Debbie has been a lifetime resident of Altavista and has volunteered with local charitable organizations such as DAWN (local food bank). Debbie has an Associate’s degree in Business from Central Virginia Community College. She currently serves on Avoca Museum and Historical Society’s Board of Directors. She is a past President and member of the Altavista Combined School Band Boosters.

BOARD MEMBER

Curtis Crews most recently served as Safety & Security Analyst and Community Relations Liaison for The Timken Company in Altavista, VA. He has served in management positions with MCI Telecommunications and MCI-West Telecommunications headquartered in Washington, D.C. and Denver, Colorado. He holds a B.A. from St. Paul's College (Lawrenceville, VA) in the field of Sociology. Mr. Crews is heavily involved in community organizations. Aside from his work with the Avoca Museum & Historical Society’s Board of Directors, he is a member of numerous employers’ organizations and sits on the Board of Trustees for the Academy of Fine Arts.

BOARD MEMBER

Eddie Puckette recently began serving on the Board of Directors and has already proven himself as a valuable volunteer in various capacities. He holds an Associate degree in Business from Ferrum College. He has served on the Uncle Billy’s Day committee for 10 years. Eddie coached youth sports for Altavista YMCA for 16 years as well as the Lynch Station Lizards for 10 years. For 31 years, Eddie was a member of the Lynch Station Ruritan Club and served on the board for 4 years. He served as President of the Altavista Colonel Club for 10 years, and is currently serving as the Vice President. Eddie has been employed by Chandler Concrete of Altavista for 38 years.

BOARD MEMBER

Dr. Scott Lowman is Director of Research at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) in Danville, Virginia. He and his team are focused on developing and integrating advances in biology and technology to improve plant productivity. As a biologist focused on plant-microbe interactions, he seeks to identify promising microbial biostimulant and biocontrol agents that increase plant growth and health while safeguarding the environment. Technology, such as computer vision and data mining, is used to gain accurate, precise, and timely information to determine the effectiveness of these treatments. Scott earned his undergraduate degree in Biology from Virginia Tech, his master’s degree from the College of William and Mary, and his Ph.D. from Virginia Tech. Prior to joining IALR, Scott co-founded Lynchburg Grows, a 7-acre urban farm in the heart of Lynchburg, Virginia. Now in its 17th year of operation, the non-profit farm supports a 100-member vegetable subscription program while providing opportunities for people with special needs to share their talents while learning life changing job skills.