Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® President, Barry Carper, is pleased to announce that local businessman and civic activist, Bradley S. “Brad” Veach, has accepted the Festival’s offer to serve as its newest Executive Director. On June 21st, 2019, long-time Executive Director, John Rosenberger, formalized his oft-mentioned intention to retire on September 21st, 2019, his 70th birthday. Subsequently, President Carper tasked the Festival’s Personnel Committee with the job of finding Mr. Rosenberger’s replacement, and the search began in earnest in August. At one point, nearly 70 applications for the job had been received by the Festival, some from as far away as Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The Personnel Committee vetted this number down to a workable level and began holding a series of very thorough interviews in September and October. At the Festival’s Board Meeting on Monday, November 4th, 2019, President Carper, and Personnel Committee Chairman, Tom Scully, announced that the Committee had decided upon a winning candidate for the job and that the Festival and Mr. Brad Veach had agreed to terms. This action was ratified by the Board; and, it was decided that Brad would start work at Apple Blossom Headquarters on Monday, November 11th.
Brad Veach is a lifelong resident of the community, attending local schools, and graduating from James Wood High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from James Madison University in 2000 with a background in sports management. Following this, he furthered his education, focusing on such areas as revenue development, marketing, and management philosophy, through certificate programs at North Carolina State, the University of Virginia, and Virginia Tech. Brad’s early employment was in recreational programming in the Harrisonburg area, which led, upon his return to his hometown, to his professional involvement with the Parks and Recreation Programs for the City of Winchester. This, in turn, led to his tenure as Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Winchester from 2005 through 2013. During his years in this role, Brad worked closely, and very successfully, with the Festival and its single largest event, Weekend-in-the-Park.
Brad started his own business in 2013: Mobile Marketing & Entertainment Solutions, Inc. One of the chief functions of this business is the “design and development of custom mobile business and non-profit applications (apps) for iPhone, iPad and Android devices.” A few years back, the Festival’s Publicity and Promotion Department approached Brad for help with establishing an “app” for the Festival; and, once again, he worked closely, and very successfully, with the Festival. A man accustomed to wearing many hats, Brad has also worked, right up to the present, as a Legislative Aide to Virginia Assembly Delegate, Chris Collins; and, as a Project Specialist with the Frederick County Economic Development Authority. As a conscientiously involved Civic Activist, Brad serves as the President of the Top of Virginia Hockey Alliance, a youth sports organization; has served on the Board of the Youth Development Center; served as the Host-President of the 2011 Cal Ripken Division 10-year-old World Series; and, served on a Strategic Plan Committee and as Chair of the Park Maintenance Education Committee for the Virginia Recreation and Park Society.
Since the time this re-organization began back in the summer, the Festival has been acutely aware of the need for continuity. Many decisions had to be made prior to Brad Veach’s employment; and, Festival President, Barry Carper, continuously availed himself of the help of John Rosenberger and retiring Office Manager, Donna Saville. John and Donna continue to help Barry and Brad on a part-time basis with this transition.