top of page

Meet The Team

steve .webp

Steve Rose

Founder and President

Steve Rose is a local businessman, non-profit founder, and community activist.  He was born in England but followed his Grandmother's roots and came to the United States over 25 years ago. Steve started Williamsburg Event Rentals in 1996 and to this day is the pre-eminent rental company in Williamsburg.  He founded a non-profit organization named Inclusion, and over a 10-year period gave back over $80,000 to the community through grants to young people from diverse backgrounds. He worked diligently to generate those funds by providing an annual 10-week-long summer concert series and an annual Chocolate Affair, among other unique events.  In 2011, he founded the non-profit, Eco Discovery Park. In 2015, Steve co-produced the 4-day Winter Blues Jazz Fest, which was held over Martin Luther King Weekend.  In its first year, the event sold over 1,200 tickets bringing together both locals and tourists in a fun, music-filled environment to help boost the local economy in the very slow winter months.  All of his endeavors rely on local volunteer support, something he has been very successful with based on his proven commitment to the community and hard-working leadership.  He has been awarded many prestigious honors such as the Small Business Person Award and The Corporate Citizen Award presented by the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance, and Community Service Award from the College of William & Mary.  He has served on the Board of Directors of the Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance.  

todd.JPG

Todd Cooke

Director at Large & Treasurer

Todd Cooke is a Richmond native, but has called Williamsburg home since 1999.  He graduated in 1998 from the Virginia Military Institute with a B.A. in History.  He is the Production Manager of Colonial Williamsburg’s historic Kimball Theatre.  Todd lives in Williamsburg with his wife, Sallie, and two daughters.

david.webp

David Miller

Director at Large

David is a recently retired nuclear professional with a strong passion for live music, community outreach, and all things related to sports.  A native of Warrenton, Virginia, David graduated from Virginia Tech in 1980 with a BS Degree in Biology/Nuclear Physics.  He is an avid member of “HokieNation”, where he met his wife of 38 years, Wendy Cohn Miller.  They have two grown children and two grandchildren.  The first 9 years of David’s career included consulting jobs in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California, Iowa, New York, and North Carolina.  In 1989 David decided to take a job with Dominion Energy and relocated the family to Williamsburg, where they have lived and worked for greater than 30 years.  David immediately immersed himself in our community through regular volunteering with Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, and Youth Sports Leagues.  However, his real compassion for helping others has been displayed during his 27 years of volunteering with our local chapters of Special Olympics and ARC as a coach, friend, chaperone, and fund-raiser.  His commitment to ensuring all humans are treated with equality, dignity and respect is unwavering.  So naturally David was drawn to CultureFix’s mission to advocate for music, culture, art, inclusion, and community and he is very proud to serve on its board.

wendy.webp

Wendy Miller

Director at Large

Wendy is a native of Richmond.  She is a graduate of Virginia Tech, where she met her husband, David.  Wendy and David have been married for almost 38 years and they have two grown children and two grandchildren.  Wendy has lived in Williamsburg for 31 years.  She retired in 2017 from WJCC Schools, where she taught elementary school for 21 years.  Since teaching, Wendy has been busy volunteering for FISH, Meals on Wheels, and The ARC.  Photography began as a hobby for Wendy and she turned this passion into a second career.  Her love of music has taken her to many festivals and venues around Virginia and beyond.  She appreciates the arts and enjoys capturing people doing what they love.  Since becoming involved with CultureFix, Wendy has enjoyed photographing many of the local and visiting artists to Williamsburg.

lance bio.jpg

Lance Pedigo

Logistics Program Manager

Lance Pedigo got his start in his musical life as a young drummer in the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums. After graduating from the program, he continued his musical studies at James Madison University graduating with a major in music. After stints in New York, New Orleans and Hawaii performing in broadway and music venues, Lance returned to Williamsburg, VA and took over leadership of the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums Corps for 25 years and manager of the Music Department at Colonial Williamsburg. As a corporate team builder, Lance has led events for Fortune 500 companies throughout North America and Europe. Lance continues to perform with local music ensembles as well as the North Carolina Baroque Orchestra. 

cotton shot.jpg

Hannah Warner

Marketing Coordinator

Hannah grew up in Williamsburg and moved to Florida in 2007.  After working at Chick-Fil-A and Owl TV for four years, she graduated with her B.A. in Multimedia Journalism from Florida Atlantic University in 2017.  Hannah enjoys hanging out with her dog Sailor, traveling and boating. She is excited to be the marketing coordinator for this great non-profit.

jenn.webp

Jennifer Raines 

Co-Founder

Jennifer Raines is a small business and arts advocate.  She is a native Virginian who has owned five retail stores, opening her first at age 19. She has operated her current business, Quirks of Art, which sells American-made handcrafted goods, since 2005.  She has a Master’s Degree in Management, Leadership, and Organizational Effectiveness.    Jennifer has won numerous honors including:  “Top 40 Under 40” Honoree, Niche Magazine’s “Top Retailer”, Retail Alliance “Top Retailer”, and a "Women in Business Achievement Award" from Inside Business magazine.  She currently writes for “Smart Retailer” and "Handmade Business" magazines.  She has served on the Board of the Downtown Hampton Development Partnership, on the national steering committee for American Craft Week, and on the regional steering committee for the LOVEVA shop local initiative.

bottom of page