Leadership

276-619-4305 | Email David

David N. Matlock was appointed Agency Head/Executive Director of the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in 2015 after a distinguished 25-year career with Virginia Highlands Community College. He also leads the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center Foundation. He is a member of the Washington County Virginia Industrial Development Authority and also serves as a board member for the Bristol, Virginia Chamber of Commerce, The Justin Foundation, Washington County Virginia K-12 Technology Council and Education Chairman for the Washington County Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

276-619-4366 | Email Adam

Adam Tolbert, Ph.D. oversees key administrative functions at the Center, including human resources, legislative affairs, strategic initiatives, security, the testing center, educational outreach, and special projects. Adam started at the Center in 2013 in the IT Department before he transitioned into his current managerial role in 2018. Previously, he worked for UVA Wise in the IT department from 2006-2013. Adam graduated from UVA Wise with a B.A. in Government and went on to earn his M.S. in Management and Ph.D. in Public Administration from Liberty University. In 2023, Governor Glenn Youngkin appointed Adam to serve as a member of the Virginia Lottery Board.

276-619-4309 | Email Hannah

Hannah Hietala directs the Center’s Conference Services and Marketing departments. A southwest Virginia native, Hannah first joined the Center in 2011 as an Information Desk Specialist before moving on to work for UVA Wise. After graduating with her master’s in education from Emory & Henry College in 2014, Hannah became the full-time Marketing & Social Media Coordinator for UVA Wise in Abingdon. In 2018, she rejoined the Center as Director of Meetings & Events, a role that has awarded her exciting challenges and opportunities for growth over the years.

276-619-4346 | Email Kathy

Kathy Hietala began working at the Center in 2004 as Executive Assistant to the Executive Director (Dr. Rachel Fowlkes, at that time). Previously, she spent 25 years working as manager, legal assistant, and bookkeeper at a Marion law practice. During the course of her 20-year employment, Kathy’s role has expanded to include preparation of the Center’s bi-annual board meetings, supervision of the information desk team and coordinating the Center’s Annual STEM Workshops for Sixth-Grade Girls. Since 2004, Kathy has also served as student coordinator for VCU’s Nurse Anesthesia program.