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Leslie Hager-Smith, Mayor

Term Expires: 12/31/25

Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith

A native of Cincinnati, Leslie Hager-Smith has been at home in Blacksburg since 1982.  Her interest in town governance took root during her years as a reporter and columnist for the Roanoke Times. She was formerly the director of the Downtown Merchants of Blacksburg, a small business owner, and she directed Community Programs for the YMCA at Virginia Tech. 

Hager-Smith’ council work has focused on economic and community development. She lent her hand to creating a business incentives program for downtown revitalization; matching grants for façade improvements; and town-wide apartment recycling. Hager-Smith also introduced community recycling of CFLs and electronics at downtown businesses. Hager-Smith currently serves on the following committees:

Appointments:

Hager-Smith champions quality of life for all residents, focusing on projects that enhance place attachment and create community. She co-founded Blacksburg’s Summer Solstice Fest; and, also originated the 16 Frogs Watershed Initiative, a public arts tribute with an environmental consciousness. She is a founding member of Sustainable Blacksburg and an energetic advocate for trails and bikeway connections in the region.

Hager-Smith initiated council action on legalizing Accessory Apartments in homes that are owner-occupied. This allows homeowners to age in place with a caretaker on site. It also allows multi-generational living and can contribute to income diversity in town limits. Most importantly, it incentivizes owner occupancy, contributing to neighborhood stability. Council adopted the new policy in spring, 2017.

Hager-Smith is married to Eric P. Smith and they have three grown children. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, awarded magna cum laude by the University of Georgia. Hager-Smith has served three terms as Vice Mayor, and was elected Mayor in 2017.

Michael SutphinMichael Sutphin, Vice Mayor

Term Expires: 12/31/27

Michael Sutphin was elected to Town Council in 2011 and reelected in 2019. He currently serves on the following committees:

Appointments:

Affiliation::

  • Main Street Connect

Like many in the community, Michael first moved to Blacksburg to attend Virginia Tech. In college, he worked as a reporter and news editor for the Collegiate Times and even covered the local government beat. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in communication in 2006, Michael landed a job with his alma mater. He worked as a writer for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences for five years and then as public relations coordinator for the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine for six years.

In 2017, Michael accepted a position as communications manager for Community Housing Partners, a Christiansburg-based nonprofit which develops and manages affordable and sustainable housing throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.

In addition to his council responsibilities, Michael is also a New River Valley representative on the SmartWay Advisory Committee and a member of numerous civic and community organizations. He served on the board of directors of Equality Virginia, the state’s leading LGBT advocacy organization, from 2010 to 2017 and is a past chair of the organization. In 2015, he was also appointed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe to the Governor’s LGBT Tourism Task Force.

Other past memberships include the Blacksburg Partnership Board of Directors, Montgomery County/Blacksburg Local Emergency Planning Committee, New River Valley Regional Commission, Blacksburg Housing and Community Development Advisory Board, and the Long Range Planning Committee.

Michael was born in Knoxville, Tennessee and split his formative years between the suburbs of Asheville, North Carolina and Williamsburg, Virginia.

Susan Anderson

Susan Anderson

Term Expires: 12/31/25

Susan Anderson was elected to Town Council in 2006 and re-elected in November of 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2021. She has served four terms as Vice Mayor. Anderson currently serves on the following:

Appointments:

Affiliations:

  • Downtown Revitalization Committee

Anderson earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Mary Washington College in 1980, majoring in mathematics and classical civilization, and a Master of Science degree in mathematics from Virginia Tech in 1982. She taught mathematics at Virginia Tech for 40 years, retiring in June of 2023. She is now a Senior Instructor Emerita of Mathematics. During her career, Anderson was an active member of the Virginia Tech Faculty Senate and the faculty advisor to the United Feminist Movement.

Anderson is the president of the board of directors of the Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley and the coordinator of Montgomery County NOW (National Organization for Women). Since 1990 she has been married to Kim J. Kipling, professor emeritus of philosophy at Radford University.

Lauren Colliver

Term Expires: 12/31/25

Lauren Colliver

Lauren Colliver was elected to her first term on the Town Council in 2017 and reelected in 2021. She is a small business owner and employer in Blacksburg. She and her husband, Dr. Ethan Colliver, own and operate Renew & Restore Wellness.  They owned and operated Valley Sports & Spine Clinic from 2011 - 2023. 

Lauren earned a Bachelor of Science from James Madison University in 1998, majoring in Biology. She worked towards a Master of Science in Natural Resources and Wildlife Management at Arizona State University.

Lauren is an active and engaged member of the community. She has served on the Blacksburg Jewish Community Center board and as Assistant Treasurer for Blacksburg New School. From 2009 to 2013, while homeschooling her children, she taught a science class at the Price House Nature Center for local homeschoolers.

Lauren's journey to Blacksburg is marked by a rich tapestry of experiences. She grew up in Northern Virginia, and after completing her bachelor’s degree, lived in Phoenix, Arizona; Cooperstown, New York; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Buffalo, New York before choosing to live in Blacksburg in 2009. This diverse background has given her a broad perspective that she brings to her community work. Lauren and Ethan have been married since 2001 and have enjoyed raising their four children in Blacksburg.

Lauren currently serves on the following:

Appointments:

Affiliations:

Jerry R. Ford Junior

Jerry R. Ford, Jr

Term Expires: 12/31/27

Jerry R. Ford, Jr was elected to Town Council in 2018. He previously served on the town’s Long Range Planning Committee from January 2016 to January 2018 and was a member of the town’s Planning Commission from July 2016 to January 2018. He completed the 89th Certified Planning Commissioner Program on May 13, 2017.

Ford currently serves on the following:

Appointments:

A native Virginian, Ford first came to Blacksburg in 1987 to attend Virginia Tech. In 1991, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and began, what has become, a 26-year career in public service with the Commonwealth of Virginia. Along the way, he received a Master’s of Science degree in Environmental Management from the University of Maryland University College.

Ford has served on the boards of two local non-profits, the New River Valley Bicycle Association, Inc. and Sustainable Blacksburg, Inc. and several Homeowners’ Associations. He also co-founded the non-profit NRV Bike Kitchen, Inc.

He recognizes the rich outdoor opportunities the town and region have to offer. He enjoys bicycling, especially overnight bikepacking trips, the performing arts, reading, and visiting Virginia’s many historical sites. He has resided in Blacksburg for over 25 years and has been married to his wife, Beth, since 1999.

Susan Mattingly

Susan Mattingly

Term Expires: 12/31/25

Susan Mattingly is a 27 year resident of Blacksburg and has a long history of civic engagement. She has held leadership positions in the numerous organizations including: Downtown Blacksburg, Inc., the YMCA at Virginia Tech, the Blacksburg Partnership Collaborative for the Arts, and Spotlight Southwest Virginia, in addition to being an active participant on several town committees. Her focus has been on creating a vibrant business and cultural environment. She has served as the Executive Director of the Lyric Theatre since November 2000.

Susan grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Northern Virginia but has her roots firmly planted in Blacksburg. She has been married to her husband, Kelly since 1983. They are the proud parents of Avery and John.

Susan currently serves on the following:

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Liam WatsonLiam Watson

Term Expires: 12/31/27

Liam Watson was elected to Town Council in 2023, becoming the youngest councilman elected in the history of the Town of Blacksburg at age 24.

Born and raised in Blacksburg, Watson graduated The College of William & Mary in 2020 with a B.A. in Religious Studies and Government. That same year he was appointed to the Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Commission.

In 2022 he was appointed to the Blacksburg Planning Commission, and served a partial term as Chairman of the Montgomery County Democratic Committee.

Watson champions programs designed to make Blacksburg more accessible for all families, particularly low and middle-income households, thus increasing economic diversity and improving neighborhood stability.

Likewise, he is committed to cultivating a greater sense of community by further developing a distinctive town culture and balancing the town’s need to grow, with a desire to retain its hometown character.

Watson lives on Progress Street and is a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church community.

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