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Board of Directors

Barry Schrimsher, President

Bio coming soon!

Frank Barger, Vice President

Frank Barger serves as Madison County’s Judge of Probate. He is a recognized leader serving on the Alabama Bar Association’s Bench and Bar Relations Task Force, Alabama Department of Archives and History’s Records Advisory Board, Alabama Chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), Child Protection Board of Madison County, and Community Advisory Committee for WellStone Behavioral Health. Barger also serves on the legislative affairs and mental health committees for the Alabama Probate Judge’s Association. A proud son of North Alabama, his family history can be traced back in Madison County for eight generations.

Carrie Tate, Immediate Past President / Parliamentarian

Carrie Tate has been an HPA board member since January 2023. Originally from Meridianville, AL, she moved to New York City in 2005 upon her graduation from The University of Alabama. She and her family moved back to Huntsville in May 2021. Carrie enjoys volunteering in the community, especially with organizations like HPA that work to preserve our city’s cultural history.

Debbie Collins, Secretary

Debbie Collins helped HPA in a support role for many years before officially becoming a board member in 2019. Born in Pennsylvania, Debbie considers Huntsville her hometown. She is retired, having worked many years in HR management and security as well as office management. Debbie now enjoys spending time with her grandson, Henry, and serving her family and community. She is married to fellow board member Guy Collins.

Denise Lewis, Treasurer

Bio coming soon!

Natasha J. Parker, Stroll Chairman

Natasha J. Parker is a fifth-generation Huntsvillian and has served on the board since January 2023. A program manager for a local defense contractor, Natasha is passionate about Huntsville’s history and preserving the past for future generations to learn and enjoy. She resides in the Five Points area of Huntsville.
Richard Van Valkenburgh, President

Richard Van Valkenburgh, Jr.

Richard Powell Van Valkenburgh, Jr. is a sixth-generation native of Huntsville. He is a graduate of Huntsville High School and Auburn University. Richard’s service to the Huntsville community is extensive. He is a longtime member and Past President of the Huntsville Kiwanis Club (third generation of his family to serve as President of this club), Charter Member and Past Chairman of the Historic Huntsville Foundation and past Chairman of HHF’s Harrison Brothers Management Committee. He is also a past President of the Huntsville Pilgrimage Association. He is a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church, member of the Sanctuary Choir and is a Trustee of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. Richard and his wife, Nancy Wilkinson Van Valkenburgh, started their real estate firm, Van Valkenburgh & Wilkinson Properties, Inc. in 1985. He is President of the firm.

Cindy Burger

Cindy Taylor Burger is a native Huntsvillian. She attended Huntsville High and Auburn University. She has three sons (two of whom are twins) and three grandchildren. A former president of HPA, Cindy’s love of Huntsville history came from her father who managed the Russell Erskine Hotel for over 20 years.

Tala McCreless

Tala McCreless is a Wealth Advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (TM) with Regions Private Wealth in Downtown Huntsville. She graduated from the University of Alabama in 2009 and is also a graduate of Leadership Greater Huntsville’s Connect Class 20. In addition to serving on the board of HPA, she is the Vice President of Fund Development and the Secretary Elect for The Junior League of Huntsville, and member of the Women’s Economic Development Council. Tala lives in downtown Huntsville with her husband, their two children, and their rescue dog, Juno. 

John Wilhoite

John Wilhoite grew up on a cotton farm outside of Huntsville. Though his family retains ownership of the farm, he has lived in Huntsville for more than 25 years. A graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, he is a lifelong student of history and preservation. With retirement around the corner after nearly 50 years in the classroom, he looks forward to working as a board member with HPA.
 

Emily Howard

Emily Howard is a Program Analyst supporting the Missile Defense Agency in Huntsville. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Alabama in Huntsville and is passionate about preserving Huntsville’s rich history and culture. A proud native of Alabama, Emily is also active in local civic life and enjoys volunteering with community-focused organizations. She lives in South Huntsville with her husband and their son. She loves exploring historic neighborhoods, hosting friends and family, and spending time outdoors. In her free time, Emily enjoys baking and needlepointing. 

Angela Mead

Angela Mead is a Security Analyst with a government contractor supporting the Missile Defense Agency in Huntsville. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management from Athens State College. She is passionate about preserving Huntsville’s rich history and culture as well as giving back to the community. She currently serves on the EarlyWorks Museum and Alabama Constitution Village Board, as well as supporting numerous community organizations. She is a fourth-generation Huntsvillian and proudly calls Huntsville home. She lives with her fur baby, Sir Charles, and enjoys exploring historic places, antique malls, traveling, and reading.

Susan Cope

Allison Lewis

Nick Emmons

Daniela Perallon

Hollis Hutchens Volk

Janet Acosta

Megan Brooks

Lynda Walker, Advisor

Lynda Walker joined HPA in 2012, shortly after retiring from teaching. A native Huntsvillian and former history teacher, Lynda is grateful to serve on the HPA board and share her love of history with the community. A member of the newsletter committee, she enjoys writing about those buried within the walls of Maple Hill so that their stories will be preserved for generations to come.

William Hampton, Advisor

William H. Hampton is a native of Huntsville, Alabama (sixth generation) and has lived in city for over 60 years. He enjoys working with fellow history loving preservationists to share Huntsville’s history during the Maple Hill Cemetery Stroll and during restoration projects throughout the year. William is the founder of Huntsville Revisited Museum (located on North Memorial Parkway), owner of Touch the World Music, and a Food and Nutrition Supervisor at Huntsville Hospital.

Lois Logan, Advisor

Bio coming soon!

Bill Nunn, Advisor

Bio coming soon!

Penny Sumners, Advisor

Bio coming soon!

Jan Dorning, Advisor

Bio coming soon!

Mary Pat Riley, Advisor

Bio coming soon!

Susan Hill, Advisor

Bio coming soon!

Stephanie Timberlake, Advisor

Bio coming soon!

Brenda Courtney, Advisor

Brenda Courtney and her husband moved to Huntsville in 1964. She is a retired teacher, having worked 31 years in the education system. Brenda believes Maple Hill is a historic treasure and enjoys serving on the HPA board.

Van Brown, Advisor

Van Vernon Brown, III is a native Huntsvillian and a graduate of the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Retired from the Huntsville-Madison County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Van is a guide for the Huntsville Ghost Walks and volunteers as a walking tour guide for historic Huntsville neighborhoods. He is a past president of HPA and a former Stroll chairman. You can catch Van portraying either Lily Flagg or Samuel Moore at the Stroll each fall.

Huntsville Pilgrimage Association P.O. Box 2962 Huntsville, AL 35804

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