Board Members

Keith L. Swisher

Keith serves in the role of President for the BARC Board of Directors and represents consumers in the 3rd district. Keith is a self-employed farmer in the Alone Mill area of Rockbridge County and has over forty years of experience in business as owner/operator of Swisher Valley Farms, LLC, which produces livestock and feed grains. His public service has also included over nine years on the Rockbridge County School Board as well as the Regional Industrial Development Authority. He enjoys spending his leisure time with his family.

Edsel “Tommy” Ford

Tommy serves as a Director for the BARC Board of Directors representing consumers in the 6th district in Bath County. Tommy spent over 25 years in the insurance industry serving as State Manager and Director for National Savings Life Insurance Company, as well as owner and director of two state-wide insurance planning companies. He opened and operated a general store in Hot Springs for 15 years before retiring. Tommy’s public service includes terms on the Bath County Board of Supervisors and Bath County School Board. In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his family.

Albert J. “Jay” Lewis II

Jay serves as a Director on the BARC Board of Directors and represents consumers in the 4th district. Jay was raised in Rockbridge County, VA, and is a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Mathematics. Following a career in banking, finance, and financial software consulting with Signet Bank, Bank of America, and Hyperion Solutions Corporation, he returned and joined his family business, Mountain View Farm Greenhouses and The Jefferson Florist & Garden, operating in Rockbridge and Bath Counties. Jay strives to be a civic leader, having served on many public boards and bodies. He currently is elected to the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors and is a past Chairman, representing the Walkers Creek Magisterial District of Rockbridge County. Jay is married to an educator and is the proud father of two children.

Jason P. Black

Jason serves as a Director on the BARC Board of Directors representing consumers in the 2nd district. Jason has over 25 years of professional experience in the agri-coop business sector. He is currently employed by Rockbridge Farmer’s Cooperative in Lexington, VA, serving as the financial controller. Jason holds a bachelor of science degree in Management Science from Virginia Tech. He is an avid outdoorsman, enjoying outdoor activities such as biking, kayaking, and hiking with his wife and three children.

C. Michael Sandridge

Mike serves in the role of Vice President for the BARC Board of Directors and represents consumers in the 1st district. He retired as Chief Correctional Officer at the Rockbridge Regional Jail in 2011 after serving for 27 years. He currently owns and operates Weeping Willow Farms raising feeder steers. Mike serves as President of the Board of Directors at Rockbridge Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He is a member of, and served as past president of, the Brownsburg Ruritan Club and serves as an elder at New Providence Presbyterian Church. He enjoys fishing, bowling, coaching youth baseball and spending time with family, and spoiling his grandsons.

John M. Quantz

John serves as Secretary and Treasurer for the BARC Board of Directors representing consumers in the 7th district. John has over 25 years’ experience as a civil engineer in the construction industry. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech and currently is Vice President of Hammond-Mitchell, Inc., a heavy civil construction firm. He also owns and operates Mountain Ridge Farm, a small beef cattle farm in Alleghany County where he currently resides. John serves on the boards of Session of Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church, the Alleghany County Farm Bureau, and the Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District. In his leisure time, he enjoys tinkering with vehicles and equipment, off-roading, and spending time with his wife and three children.