Community Involvement

The Blue Ridge Financial Group is noted for its strong emphasis on community involvement. We take pride in our community and are dedicated to providing a higher quality of life for its members. We promote social responsibility, encourage active participation and embrace positive change. We understand that our involvement will make a lasting difference that will help to ensure the long-term vitality of our community and its members. Each of our Financial Representatives are involved in our community in their own way. Here are a few examples:

Gary Taylor has been recognized by Northwestern Mutual Financial Network twice for his service work by receiving the company’s Community Service Award. The award not only acknowledges Gary’s admirable work, but financially rewards organizations of Gary’s choice. Gary enjoys supporting the Piedmont Virginia Community College Educational Foundation Partners and the Virginia Discovery Museum. In addition, Gary is the past chairman of Paramount Theater and the Charlottesville-Albemarle Chamber of Commerce and he leads his neighborhood association.

Kim Garrison enjoys supporting various community organizations including The Madison County High School Band where she serves as treasuer for their board, Operation Once in a Lifetime, The Alzheimer's Association, LOVE Inc., and the Virginia Discovery Museum.

Jarrod Markley enjoys working with the Charlottesville Albemarle Boys and Girls Club to help youth from all backgrounds with a special concern for youth from disadvantaged circumstances, develop those qualities and skills needed to become responsible citizens and leaders. He also  serves on the board of his property owner's association, and is a member of a non-profit speaker's bureau called the Society for Financial Awareness.   SOFA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides corporations, family businesses and organizations with financial education through seminars and workshops.

Victor Millner serves on the Advisory Board for the Charlottesville area Salvation Army, working towards helping those in need within our community. He volunteers with the Charlottesville Area Habitat for Humanity, and has served on the Development committee. 2008 marked the second year that Victor has been a supporter of In the Pink, a local tennis event to benefit Marianne's Room, a resource for women who are battling cancer and need head coverings and prostheses. Victor is serving as Vice President of the Central Virginia Estate Planning Council for the 2009-2010 year. He continues to serve on the planning committee of Taste This!, a local movement to end hunger in our community.  For the 2009 event, Victor is pleased that the proceeds of the event will be supporting the Charlottesville area Salvation Army, as well as Meals on Wheels of Charlottesville / Albemarle.

Chris Poe is a Co-founder of the "I Have a Dream" Foundation of Charlottesville. The “I Have a Dream” Foundation of Charlottesville is a non-profit educational outreach program to help children stay in school and pursue higher education. Local "I Have a Dream" Projects adopt entire grades from elementary schools or entire age groups from public housing developments. Each Project provides its children ("Dreamers") with academic support, cultural and recreational activities, and individual attention for 12 to 16 years. Once Dreamers graduate from high school, the Project provides tuition assistance to assure that they will have the opportunity to attend a college, university, or accredited vocational school. Chris is also a State Board Member of Young Life and the Secretary of the Central Virginia Estate Planning Council.

Matt Lloyd is the Past Campaign Team Leader  of United Way of Central Virginia. He is a member of the Lynchburg Estate Planning Council and the Lynchburg Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors. Matt is a Founding Member and Past President  of the Business Network International, Hill City Chapter. He is also a  member and Past Officer of the University of Virginia Alumni Association/Lynchburg. Matt is the Past President of E.C. Glass Athletic Boosters.