ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, March 12, 1996 TAG: 9603120079
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
Brian Wishneff, Roanoke's former chief of economic development who now has his own consulting firm, has applied for one of the two School Board seats that City Council must fill by July 1.
Wishneff was one of five people who applied Monday, the deadline for applications. Three others had applied earlier.
Monday's other applicants are:
* Martin Jeffrey, director of community development and outreach for Total Action Against Poverty.
* Barry Thomas, director of rates, tariffs and contracts in Virginia and Tennessee for American Electric Power Co., formerly Appalachian Power Co.
* James Lowe Jr., head of construction administration and an associate at Hayes, Seay, Mattern and Mattern, an architectural and engineering firm.
* Earl Gurtner, an executive sales consultant for Miroil, a division of Scientific Products Inc.
The three who applied earlier are: Charles Day, an incumbent seeking reappointment; James Beatty, city personnel administrator; and Farley Childress, a retired soldier.
Incumbent Finn Pincus, a board member for six years, is not seeking a new term.
Wishneff resigned his city job last summer to establish a consulting firm that specializes in the creation of public-private partnerships. He has bachelor's and master's degrees from Virginia Tech and belongs to several community organizations.
Jeffrey, who applied for a seat last year, has served on several school and Parent-Teacher Association committees. He attended Connors State College in Warner, Okla., and Roanoke College.
Thomas has been a a part-time instructor in the adult education program for city schools, as well as an instructor for several colleges and universities. He has a bachelor's degree from Roanoke College and a master's degree from Virginia Tech.
Lowe has been a volunteer in the Junior Achievement program in city schools and a member of the New Century Council. He has a bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech, a master's degree from George Washington University and a law degree from George Mason University.
Gurtner has been a volunteer in city schools and has worked with junior high football coaches. He has been a school football official for 16 years.
Under the selection procedure, council announces pending vacancies, invites applications, then publicly interviews up to three applicants for each seat.
Council will interview the candidates next month after it screens the applications.
Roanoke has a seven-member board with staggered terms. The members are paid $2,400 a year.
Most counties and cities in Western Virginia now elect school board members, but Roanoke and Salem have kept the appointed system.
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