Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association Announces New Executive Director, Ian MacDougall

Image Courtesy of Middleburg Photo.

The Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association (VPHA) is pleased to announce the promotion of its Public Programs Coordinator, Ian MacDougall, to Executive Director. Ian is in his fourth year with the Heritage Area, having managed VPHA’s Public Programs since joining the organization in 2021.

In his previous role, Mr. MacDougall oversaw VPHA’s many public programs put on throughout the year, including the popular Annual Conference on the Art of Command in the Civil War. He also served on the LoudounVA250 Committee in the role of Programs Chair from 2022-2025, having recently overseen the committee’s bicentennial commemorations of the Marquis de Lafayette’s visit in 1825. Ian has worked in historic education for most of his career, working for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s Department of Military Programs before joining the Heritage Area. Ian and his wife Christine live in Taylorstown in Loudoun County.

As VPHA’s Executive Director, Mr. MacDougall will be the chief operating officer of the organization and responsible for the active management of the Association’s daily business, development, fundraising, membership, and preserving the integrity of the historic landscape of the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area. Mr. MacDougall noted, “Its’s an honor and a privilege to step into a position that has been steadfastly helmed by Alexander Nance over the last three years, with an ever-growing, diverse range of educational programs provided by our Director of Education, Travis Shaw.”

VPHA’s Chair, Jim Little, stated “We needed look no further for our new Executive Director than within our own organization for the knowledge and skills necessary to continue our mission of preservation through education. Ian has demonstrated his ability to further the mission to higher levels.”