The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation has named its leader for the 2019 Commemoration, which will mark the 400th anniversary of four important events in Virginia’s history.
Kathy J. Spangler, a Kilmarnock resident who has both management and conference planning experience, will serve as the director.
JYF is the official state agency in charge of commemorating the landmark events of 1619: the first representative legislative assembly in British America; the arrival of the first recorded Africans in Virginia; the recruitment of women to expand the Virginia colony; and the establishment of a precedent for Thanksgiving in America at Berkeley Hundred.
In her capacity as the director of the 2019 Commemoration, Spangler will serve as the principal liaison to the steering committee, a body of state government officials and individuals associated with historical and educational organizations involved in the planning of the Commemoration. She will assist the committee with creating working groups and developing programs.
“Ms. Spangler’s experience will be invaluable as we look to engage key organizations and build public-private partnerships to ensure a successful commemoration that reaches a broad national audience,” Delegate Cox said on behalf of the 2019 Commemoration Steering Committee leadership. “She will work closely with historical, educational and tourism organizations and individuals to maximize opportunities related to the commemorative period.”
Spangler, who has a bachelor’s degree and an honorary doctorate from the University of Maine, has worked on a variety of event and conference planning projects, including the Sports Illustrated 50th Anniversary Sportstown Celebration.
More recently, Spangler has served in executive roles at America’s Promise Alliance, National Partnerships and National Recreation and Park Association for a collective 35 years of experience in public and nonprofit management. From 2010 to 2015 she was vice president of Save the Children, the organization that oversees Head Start.
Ms. Spangler’s office will be located at Jamestown Settlement.
