About Us
Sherri McKinney (Executive Director) was born in West Virginia and graduated from Marshall University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. During high school and college she found out the benefits of competing in pageants. McKinney won several scholarships and was a runner-up to Miss West Virginia USA. McKinney grew up loving music, theatre and dance. She studied dance from five-years-old through college. She studied under Duncan Noble and Jerry Rose. In high school and college she turned her interest to musical theatre and acting. In college she was cast as dance captain for Marshall University's production of "Hello Dolly". She attended college on a music scholarship for flute and piccolo and preformed with the symphonic band. McKinney was also a member of the Thundering Herd Marching band as a member of the majorette squad. She continues her work as an actor in several movies including, Oscar nominated "The Contender" and "Mickey" and the ABC television series, "Commander in Chief".Following a career as a television anchor-reporter in Charleston, W.Va. and Richmond, she is currently a senior video producer for the Virginia Farm Bureau. She is a co-producer and host for the national television program, "Down Home Virginia". McKinney has received several honors and awards including an Associated Press award for Best Interview, an American Heart Association Journalism Award for Excellence in Cardiovasular Reporting and several International Videographer Awards. McKinney lives in Glen Allen and is married to Rick McKinney, a lighting cameraman. The McKinneys own and operate Film4TV, a film and video production company. They have two children, and in her spare time enjoys family adventure. Sherri is a judge for both the Miss USA and Miss America systems.
Whitney Smith (Teen and Preteen Director) received a bachelor of sports management at James Madison University. She is currently enrolled in the Mary Baldwin program receiving her teaching degree. She was Miss Louisa Agricultural Fair 2006, and held many other local titles. She is married to Reese Smith and lives in Louisa, Virginia. Whitney has volunteered for many organizations such as the Louisa Junior Women's Club, Louisa County Agricultural, Chair for Louisa County Relay for Life and much more. She has served as the princess coordinator the past year for Miss Piedmont Region.
misspiedmontregionteened@gmail.com
Hester Fletcher (Princess Program) enjoys working with the younger girls to help develop them into our Miss America's of the future. The princess program is developed to not only provide the girls with activities within the Miss Piedmont Region committees but to give a mentorship program for our Miss and teens. We enjoy giving our princesses tools to learn about service one of the points of the Miss America Crown. Hester has a Bachelor's degree in nursing and is a perioperative nurse educator for Bon Secours Richmond. She is one semester short of finishing her MSN/Ed. She volunteers her time with the Free Clinic in Orange, VA, Louisa Rabies Clinic, Served as President of the Louisa County Ag Fair, organized the Miss Louisa county ag fair pageant. She is married and has 3 children, and has taken extensive piano, voice and ballet. She currently sings in the praise team at Goldmine Baptist Church. Hester is an official judge for the Miss America System.
Princess Program - missprprincess@gmail.com
Lawanda Dunn (Marketing Coordinator)- LaWanda Dunn is a 2007 graduate of the University of Richmond where she received her bachelor's degree in Latin American & Iberian Studies. During her tenure at the University of Richmond, she was Bonner Scholar, danced with the Ngoma African Dance Company, was a member of WILL (Women Involved in Living and Learning), and became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. La Wanda also gained international experience by attending ITESO (Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente) in Mexico where she also played on the basketball team. She has been a volunteer with various organizations such as the Boys and Girls club, C.H.A.T., Refugee & Immigration Services of the Catholic Dioceses, Crossover Ministries Health Clinic, American Heart Association, and the Susan G. Komen foundatin to name a few. At present, she is the lead Spanish teacher at Franklin Military Academy, the first public military academy in the nation. LaWanda is recently married to Jermaine Dunn and they reside in Richmond, VA.
Miss Piedmont Region Marketing Coordinator - missprmarketing@gmail.com
