Appalachian Highlands House Partners Logo

Our Leadership

Meet Our Board of Directors

Hover and click on the photos to learn more about our Board members.

Thomas Revels

Board Chair
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Dick Gail

Board Member
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Karl Kindig

Board Member
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Meet Our Staff

Hover and click on the photos to learn more about our Staff. Additional staffing support provided by leadership of Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia

Mayana Rice

Director
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Karl Kindig

Board Member
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Contact us if you have any questions, and join us in building a brighter, more affordable future for the Appalachian Highlands!

Mailing Address
851 French Moore Jr. Blvd., Suite 110
Abingdon, VA 24210

Phone Number
276.221.0201

Email Address
info@ahhpva.org

AHHP, a 501(c)3, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia.

© Copyright Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners 2025, All Rights Reserved.

Thomas “Tom” Revels

Board Chair, Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

With over 35 years of experience in hospital management and employer-based primary care operations, Tom Revels is a seasoned leader in health risk management for self-funded employer health plans. As an independent consultant, he specializes in innovative solutions that improve health outcomes and control costs.

Tom is the co-founder of two onsite clinic and health analytics companies and has been a driving force behind employer-focused health initiatives for more than 20 years. His expertise includes primary care delivery, chronic disease management, occupational and behavioral health, HIPAA compliance, electronic data sharing, program analytics and incentive-based wellness programming.

Tom’s extensive background in strategic planning and program development supports Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners’ mission to expand attainable housing, education, and job opportunities.

A committed community leader, Tom serves as Parish Council president at Faith Lutheran Church and sits on the board of the Whitetop Community Club. He is also a former elected county supervisor in Grayson County, Virginia.

Tom holds a doctorate in health policy from the Medical University of South Carolina, a master’s in health administration from Duke University, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He and his spouse live in Whitetop, Virginia, and are proud parents of four children and grandparents to six.

Thomas “Tom” Revels

Board Chair, Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

With over 35 years of experience in hospital management and employer-based primary care operations, Tom Revels is a seasoned leader in health risk management for self-funded employer health plans. As an independent consultant, he specializes in innovative solutions that improve health outcomes and control costs.

Tom is the co-founder of two onsite clinic and health analytics companies and has been a driving force behind employer-focused health initiatives for more than 20 years. His expertise includes primary care delivery, chronic disease management, occupational and behavioral health, HIPAA compliance, electronic data sharing, program analytics and incentive-based wellness programming.

Tom’s extensive background in strategic planning and program development supports Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners’ mission to expand attainable housing, education, and job opportunities.

A committed community leader, Tom serves as Parish Council president at Faith Lutheran Church and sits on the board of the Whitetop Community Club. He is also a former elected county supervisor in Grayson County, Virginia.

Tom holds a doctorate in health policy from the Medical University of South Carolina, a master’s in health administration from Duke University, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He and his spouse live in Whitetop, Virginia, and are proud parents of four children and grandparents to six.

Richard “Dick” Gail

Board Member, Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Richard “Dick” Gail brings nearly four decades of leadership experience in the energy sector and an extensive record of civic engagement to his role on the Board of Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners (AHHP). He spent his entire 39-year career with American Electric Power (AEP), serving in management roles at four major electric generating plants across Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia. He held plant manager positions at both the Clinch River Plant in Russell County, Virginia and the Philip Sporn Plant in Mason County, West Virginia.

During his tenure at AEP, Dick played a key role in two major corporate mergers—first with Columbus and Southern Ohio Electric, and later with Texas Utilities. As a member of the Generation Development Committee during the Texas merger, he helped unify power generation assets across 11 states.

Since retiring from AEP in 2011, Dick has remained deeply active in every community he’s called home. He has served on numerous educational, economic and civic boards including the Coshocton City School Board, the Coshocton County Joint Vocational School Board, the Mason County Development Authority and the Abingdon Senior Center Board. He also served nine years on the Johnston Memorial Hospital Board and has supported education as a member of the Advisory Committee for Russell County Schools and the Emory & Henry College Board of Visitors.

Dick is currently a member of the Virginia Employer Support for Guards and Reserves Southwest Committee, where he serves as an ombudsman, and he holds long-standing Masonic memberships in both Virginia and Ohio, where he has served in several leadership capacities.

Originally from Athens County, Ohio, Dick studied business administration at Ohio University. He and his wife, Marty, live in Abingdon and enjoy time with their son, Brian and two granddaughters, Jordan and Kamryn.

Richard “Dick” Gail

Board Member, Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Richard “Dick” Gail brings nearly four decades of leadership experience in the energy sector and an extensive record of civic engagement to his role on the Board of Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners (AHHP). He spent his entire 39-year career with American Electric Power (AEP), serving in management roles at four major electric generating plants across Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia. He held plant manager positions at both the Clinch River Plant in Russell County, Virginia and the Philip Sporn Plant in Mason County, West Virginia.

During his tenure at AEP, Dick played a key role in two major corporate mergers—first with Columbus and Southern Ohio Electric, and later with Texas Utilities. As a member of the Generation Development Committee during the Texas merger, he helped unify power generation assets across 11 states.

Since retiring from AEP in 2011, Dick has remained deeply active in every community he’s called home. He has served on numerous educational, economic and civic boards including the Coshocton City School Board, the Coshocton County Joint Vocational School Board, the Mason County Development Authority and the Abingdon Senior Center Board. He also served nine years on the Johnston Memorial Hospital Board and has supported education as a member of the Advisory Committee for Russell County Schools and the Emory & Henry College Board of Visitors.

Dick is currently a member of the Virginia Employer Support for Guards and Reserves Southwest Committee, where he serves as an ombudsman, and he holds long-standing Masonic memberships in both Virginia and Ohio, where he has served in several leadership capacities.

Originally from Athens County, Ohio, Dick studied business administration at Ohio University. He and his wife, Marty, live in Abingdon and enjoy time with their son, Brian and two granddaughters, Jordan and Kamryn.

Karl Kindig

Board Member, Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Karl Kindig brings decades of legal and executive experience to the Board of Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners (AHHP), with a professional background that spans business law, corporate leadership and nonprofit service. A semi-retired attorney, Karl launched a solo law practice in 2021, focusing on business transactions. Earlier in his career, he held several legal and managerial roles at Pittston Coal Company in Lebanon, Virginia, ultimately serving as General Counsel and President.

Karl holds an undergraduate degree in economics from Juniata College, a law degree from New York University and completed the Program for Management Development at Harvard Business School.

He has served on numerous nonprofit boards across education, environmental stewardship and healthcare. He is currently a trustee of the Virginia Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and a Trustee Emeritus of Juniata College. He also previously served on the board of trustees at Johnston Memorial Hospital.

Karl is committed to helping transform financial resources into meaningful, lasting improvements for the people of Southwest Virginia. His focus is on creating sustainable, community-centered impact through sound governance and strategic investment.

He lives in Abingdon with his wife. They have one daughter. In his spare time, he enjoys woodworking and bird hunting.

Karl Kindig

Board Member, Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Karl Kindig brings decades of legal and executive experience to the Board of Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners (AHHP), with a professional background that spans business law, corporate leadership and nonprofit service. A semi-retired attorney, Karl launched a solo law practice in 2021, focusing on business transactions. Earlier in his career, he held several legal and managerial roles at Pittston Coal Company in Lebanon, Virginia, ultimately serving as General Counsel and President.

Karl holds an undergraduate degree in economics from Juniata College, a law degree from New York University and completed the Program for Management Development at Harvard Business School.

He has served on numerous nonprofit boards across education, environmental stewardship and healthcare. He is currently a trustee of the Virginia Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and a Trustee Emeritus of Juniata College. He also previously served on the board of trustees at Johnston Memorial Hospital.

Karl is committed to helping transform financial resources into meaningful, lasting improvements for the people of Southwest Virginia. His focus is on creating sustainable, community-centered impact through sound governance and strategic investment.

He lives in Abingdon with his wife. They have one daughter. In his spare time, he enjoys woodworking and bird hunting.

Mayana Rice

Director, Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Additional staffing support provided by leadership of Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia.

Mayana Rice brings more than two decades of experience in community planning, affordable housing and public service to her role as Director of Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners (AHHP). With a career spanning local government, private engineering firms and nonprofit partnerships, Mayana has led initiatives across the country to improve access to housing, strengthen small businesses and streamline development regulations.

Prior to joining AHHP, Mayana served as Assistant Town Manager and Community Development Director for the Town of Abingdon, Virginia, where she oversaw departments ranging from planning and public works to tourism and fire services. There, she led a comprehensive zoning rewrite that enabled diverse housing types—including accessory dwelling units and cottage developments—resulting in over 500 new homes in the pipeline. She also played a key role in expanding fire service coverage, enhancing tourism infrastructure and launching an economic development program.

Mayana has held leadership positions in Montana and Minnesota where she advanced housing policies such as inclusionary zoning, density bonuses and long-range planning initiatives focused on affordability and sustainability. Her background in land use, environmental compliance, geographic information systems and local emergency planning brings a holistic perspective to AHHP’s work.

An advocate for smart growth and community equity, Mayana is passionate about creating neighborhoods—rather than just houses—that are accessible, vibrant and enduring. She and her family relocated to Southwest Virginia for its rivers and mountains but stayed for its people, describing the region as “a place we wouldn’t want to leave.”

She holds a Master of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning and a Bachelor’s in Soil and Water Science, both from the University of Florida.

Mayana Rice

Director, Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Additional staffing support provided by leadership of Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia.

Mayana Rice brings more than two decades of experience in community planning, affordable housing and public service to her role as Director of Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners (AHHP). With a career spanning local government, private engineering firms and nonprofit partnerships, Mayana has led initiatives across the country to improve access to housing, strengthen small businesses and streamline development regulations.

Prior to joining AHHP, Mayana served as Assistant Town Manager and Community Development Director for the Town of Abingdon, Virginia, where she oversaw departments ranging from planning and public works to tourism and fire services. There, she led a comprehensive zoning rewrite that enabled diverse housing types—including accessory dwelling units and cottage developments—resulting in over 500 new homes in the pipeline. She also played a key role in expanding fire service coverage, enhancing tourism infrastructure and launching an economic development program.

Mayana has held leadership positions in Montana and Minnesota where she advanced housing policies such as inclusionary zoning, density bonuses and long-range planning initiatives focused on affordability and sustainability. Her background in land use, environmental compliance, geographic information systems and local emergency planning brings a holistic perspective to AHHP’s work.

An advocate for smart growth and community equity, Mayana is passionate about creating neighborhoods—rather than just houses—that are accessible, vibrant and enduring. She and her family relocated to Southwest Virginia for its rivers and mountains but stayed for its people, describing the region as “a place we wouldn’t want to leave.”

She holds a Master of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning and a Bachelor’s in Soil and Water Science, both from the University of Florida.