Ron Spears has been with Elk Hill since 1984, where he first met Michael Farley, leader of the Proper Walks & Safaris. He is very excited to travel to Makindu and Kenya, meet the kids and tour the country that Michael has been talking about for decades. In his work life, Ron served as a Team Leader, Admissions and Aftercare Coordinator, Director of Community Services, and Director of Programs before becoming Chief Operations Officer, and now Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He knows every Elk Hill program from the ground up and has helped them evolve as the needs of our young men and women change. Mr. Spears was appointed by the Governor of Virginia in 2021 to represent private providers on the State Executive Council, which makes decisions regarding funding and services to the State’s most challenging, under served, and needy youth. He is currently on the board of the Virginia Coalition of Private Provider Associations (VCOPPA) and is past President of the Virginia Association of Specialized Education Facilities (VAISEF). Ron was recognized by the Central Virginia Partnership on Youth as the 2012 Outstanding Private Partner of the Year for actively demonstrating community collaboration and service to youth and families.
Mr. Spears is a former Board Member of the Powhatan Free Clinic, Powhatan Education Foundation, and Cumberland Education Foundation. Most recently, Ron was appointed by the Powhatan County Board of Supervisors to serve on the Community Action Board for the County. He is founder and chairman emeritus of the Cumberland Basketball Alumni Committee, has served as a chief election official in Powhatan County, and is an adjunct faculty member at John Tyler Community College. Ron is a former member of the Longwood University Social Work Advisory Committee. Mr. Spears enjoys basketball and plays at the state and national level in 60 and over competition. He holds a master’s degree in Youth and Child Care Administration from Nova Southeastern University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wilberforce University, the nations first HBCU, founded in 1856!
Ron and his wife Linda reside in Powhatan, Virginia, and have two adult children, and 5 grandchildren.
