Virginia Horse Center Foundation Welcomes New Development Director & Events Development Director

The Virginia Horse Center Foundation has named Mindy Gerber Barber as its new Director of Development. Barber hails from Charlottesville, Virginia, and has been visiting the Virginia Horse Center Foundation for over ten years while supporting her daughter’s riding career. She possesses an extensive advertising and marketing background, for which she has won numerous awards, having worked with; WR Grace, Citibank, Revlon, the United Way, RCA, Coca-Cola, Ammirati & Puris, the Marschalk Company, and the Interpublic Group, as well as many international corporations. In addition to her professional background, Barber has been very involved in the nonprofit sector through her volunteer work in both New York and Charlottesville. She lives in Ivy, Virginia with her husband Charles H. Barber III and their daughter, Rebecca, a sophomore at William & Mary. Barber shared, “I look forward to the opportunity and challenge of helping the VHCF fullfill its incredible potential.”

A second addition was made in order to attract new and diverse events. Bob Crist, of Charlottesville, has come on in the new position of Events Development Director. Crist is the owner and operator of Crist Mortgage Corporation. He has made a career in the financial sector complimented by teaching and fundraising experience at Piedmont Virginia Community College and the University of Virginia. Crist also has deep ties in the Mid-Atlantic sports community and will seek to diversify events in addition to maintaining and increasing the equine event calendar. His family once owned part of the property that is now known as Oak Hill and is used by the Virginia Horse Center Foundation for cross-country jumping, carriage driving, tractor pulls, and cross-country running. Crist resides in Charlottesville with his wife and has two sons, one in high school and one at Christopher Newport University. Crist shared that, “Bringing new sporting events to the Horse Center will be the most enjoyable job that I have ever had. There is so much potential at this facility, and it will be a joy bringing new events here.”