APMF Board Members

Agnis Chakravorty - Woods Rogers PLC
Principal
Reason for joining board: Al was a special person and touched almost everyone who came in contact with. Most of my inner circle of friends are people who I met because of Al. The reason a small group of his friends formed the Foundation was to make sure that his memory lived on and to give back just like Al did in his life.

 

R. Neal Keesee, Jr. - Woods Rogers PLC
Principal
Reason for joining board: Great friends with Al.

 

C.J. King - Cole & King, LLC CPA’s
Partner
Reason for joining board: It is said that you can judge the worth of a man by his friends, if this is true; Al Pollard was the richest man in Roanoke. Al is the man many of us believe was responsible for the revitalization of Downtown Roanoke. His high energy, charisma, stamina and sheer force of will breathed life back into the heart of downtown. His spirit lives on in all who knew him, how could we let those memories fade?

 

Charles Johnson - TechLinkOne, Inc.
CEO
Reason for joining board: I spent time with Al Pollard on special occasions - I would see him one day and then not see him for months.  Every time we reconnected he made me feel like we never missed a day.  I lost count of the stories about how Al helped someone, connected people, or started an adventure.  Keeping his memory alive will help the community and continue to be a gift to his friends and family.

 

Mark Chamberlin - Federal Aviation Administration
Air Traffic Controller
Reason for joining board: Al had always talked about putting together a golf tournament along with always looking for ways to better the Roanoke community. At the time we were all seriously grief-stricken by his sudden death and this was the perfect way to both fulfill some of his wishes and also provide a form of therapy by channeling our grief into positive energy in his memory.

 

River Bonhotel - Bondough, Inc.
Owner
Reason for joining board: To honor and support the legacy of my good friend.

Charles A. Webb - Benefits Group, Inc.
President
Reason for joining board: Al was a personal and professional friend.  I hope to help the event make an impact to the Roanoke community the way that Al did for years.

Tom Pettigrew - Reinhart Foodservice
Territory Manager

Reason for joining board: I believed that the goals of the Foundation are the perfect tribute to Al's life and works. Through this group, he will continue to effect and influence the culinary industry in the Valley and beyond much as he did while he was with us.

Randy Simmons - Regional Reporting Inc.
Compensation Auditor
Reason for joining board: I met Al when we were both in our senior year of college. I attended Radford University and we met through a friend of Al's whom he met while working at the cafeteria at Roanoke College. Back then Al had a band called Big Al and the Fat Cats. He played the base. He was always fun to be around and had a real passion and zest for living. He always wanted to move forward and wanted to go big. He had big dreams. His restaurant vision was actually a business plan in one of his classes at Roanoke College. I remember when he first opened Corned Beef restaurant. It was a stall in the Roanoke City Market building. He then expanded when the opportunity arose into the corner of that building where Tavern on the Market is now. Later after the great flood of 1985 he moved form the market building to the present location of Corned Beef & Company on Jefferson Street. I got to share all of Al's visions, efforts and successes through all those years until the day he died. His passion and ventures enriched my life and encouraged me to always move forward and be a better person. He was always in the know and on the edge of technology even though he would sometimes forget how to use the remote to turn on his satellite TV and home theatre system. He would have to call a friend for help. He liked to be around people and was always surrounded by his friends. He would get upset if you did not attend or call for a gathering. Al often used the term "WE" to describe his business ventures. I am glad I got to grow and learn and share vicariously through Al's life. He left this place a better place to be. He truly made my life better and introduced me to some of the now closest people to my heart and soul. For all of this I thank him. I loved him like a brother and will always miss him and never forget him and what he stood for,. family, people, business, excellence and going big in life.

Thank you Al. Thanks for enriching my life and sharing your dreams, passions and successes with me. I am a better person because of you....

William Webb - Famous Anthony’s
Franchise Owner
Reason for joining board: My Friendship with Al was close to me as my own brothers.  He and I and most of the members on the board traveled together; fellowshipped with each other’s families; we became a family ourselves.  Being on the board to me was my way of honoring my friend, show respect to his family, and make myself available to help.

E J Moses - Moses Insurance Group
Owner
Reason for joining board: Met and became friends with Al in 1980, when he worked at the airport.

 

Chip Moore - Restaurantuer
Owner  -  Brambleton Deli, Annie Moore's Irish Pub
Reason for joining board:  Not only was Al the "Renaissance Man" of Roanokes restaurant scene, he was a wonderful person. By starting the Foundation, we hope to perpetuate his name and continue to improve upon the restaurant industry that he cared so much about.

 

Amy C. Saxe - Corned Beef & Co.

Service

Reason for joining the board:  I had the distinct pleasure of working for Al for eight years.  Education was very important to him and he felt that every person deserved that opportunity.  He helped me through my college years, writing letters of recommendation, calling heads of departments, all to make sure I had the best opportunities available.  This foundation keeps that spirit alive and I am proud and honored to be a part of it.

 

Jimmy Ayers - Corned Beef & Co.
General Manager
Reason for joining board:  I started working for Al as a dishwasher at Corned Beef & Co. in August 1988.  Al was more than just a boss.  He always treated me like I was family.  Everything I have learned about this business I learned from Al.  His passion for service and commitment to the industry was infectious.  Both of us being musicians, we shared a bond through the love of music.  Particularly, the band Tower of Power.  Over the years, Al became someone I could always count on to be there for anything.  This foundation is a complete extension of what and who Al was.  I miss him every day as he was a truly wonderful human being.