Press Release
Laura Walters announced that she will be seeking the Republican nomination for the Ingles District Board of Supervisors at the upcoming Republican mass meeting on Thursday, April 25th at 5:30 pm held at the Central Gym behind the Pulaski County Administration building at 143 Third Street NW, Pulaski.
Laura was born and grew up in Galax and has lived in Southwest Virginia all her life. Though from Galax, Laura spent her summers at Claytor Lake growing up at a family cabin. She or her family have always owned property in Pulaski County. She has lived full-time in Pulaski County at Claytor Lake for the past 20+ years.
Laura attended Radford University, graduating in 1977 with a BS in Business and Psychology and MS in Psychology in 1980. She later attended Virginia Tech post graduate. Laura taught and counseled at Wytheville and New River Community College for many years. She founded Career Directions, a business consulting and outplacement firm in 1989, working there until retiring in 2011.
Laura has always done volunteer work, serving on various boards and organizations.
She has been a volunteer with Pulaski County Humane Society, as member and Past President, Pulaski County Library Board, Past Chair, served as Pulaski Representative on the Mount Rogers Community Services Board, and Boy Scout Sea Scouts Advisory Board.
Her current volunteer work includes serving on Pulaski County Clean Community Council, Claytor Lake Technical Advisory Committee, Chair of the New River Conservancy Board, Environmental Coordinator, and past President of FOCL (Friends of Claytor Lake), serving on the Friends of Peak Creek Board, Financial Officer United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 83, Boating Safety Instructor for VA DGIF, and serving on the Virginia Safe Boating Council.
In her past work, Laura has experience with coordinating with agencies, nonprofits and governments to get things done. She has experience in budgeting, finance, running a small business, working with large industry in consulting endeavors, and extensive experience with lake and other issues specific to the Ingles District of Pulaski County. She has written grants in multiple areas from achieving Harry DeHaven Park upgrades and providing recreation equipment and youth activities, to assisting in successfully obtaining a grant from AEP to help purchase a new swift water rescue boat for Pulaski County Emergency Medical Services. “I am a strong supporter of Law Enforcement and First Responders. I have worked with both through FOCL and the Humane Society.” Her work with the Humane Society facilitated efficient volunteer work in the Pulaski County Shelter and an increase of animals transferred to rescue facilities. She worked for 8 years with the Pulaski County Library Board, managing decreasing revenues while continuing to improve services to patrons. She has successfully obtained and coordinated grants for the Clean Community Council to support continued education, clean ups, and decrease of litter in the county.
Laura feels she has had an effective impact in her past work and looks forward to continuing her positive energies for Pulaski County as a member of the Board of Supervisors. “I can make a difference with your support.” Pulaski County is a beautiful, wonderful place with many great attributes and huge potential. We have many opportunities available with supporting our schools and youth, working with our local colleges and universities to provide skills needed for current and new industry, expanding tourism and housing options, all which will create new growth, sustainability and thus revenue for Pulaski County.
One issue I am opposed to is the proposed increase of Board of Supervisors benefits and stipend. I will vote against it and will not accept additional compensation. I feel that representing citizens is a privilege and should be done by those volunteers who want to give back to our County.
Laura is married to Jeff Arnold and lives on Claytor Lake with her rescue dogs. She has three children, daughter Brett, who attended Gardner Webb University in Shelby, North Carolina and works in Home Health Care in Shelby, son Evan, who attended Radford University and University of Taiwan and is Commissioner of the World Axe Throwing League, living in Roanoke, and Ethan, who attended New River Community College and works as an Instrumentation/Electronics Technician at Radford University and lives in Dublin.
