Phyllis Leffler, President
Phyllis K. Leffler is Professor Emerita at The University of Virginia in the field of public history. In addition to two books on public history, she has published award winning articles on museum exhibits and on the history of women at UVA in The Public Historian and the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. She has also published in the Journal of the History of Ideas, French Historical Studies, Transatlantic Studies and Ethnicities. Her interest in documenting peoples’ lives and experiences led her to co-publish “To Seek the Peace of the City: Jewish Life in Charlottesville,” and to be the lead interviewer for the Lowell Weicker Oral History Project, soon to be released through the U.Va. Library. An extensive oral history project with Julian Bond produced both a website and a book entitled Black Leaders on Leadership: Conversations with Julian Bond (2015). She also wrote the twenty-year history of the Ron Brown Scholars Program, published as The Value of One, The Power of All (2017). She is immediate past president of the Southern Jewish Historical Society.
Ted Coates, Vice President
Since retiring from a career in the Navy & Coast Guard, Ted has headed four non-profits as Executive Director. He has and continues to serve on numerous Boards and Committees not only for non-profits, but for government agencies, schools, private clubs, and homeowners associations. He established and obtained 501c3 approval from the IRS for a non-profit dedicated to historic preservation. For several years, Ted taught a course for those considering serving on a non-profit Board called “Doing Good by Serving Well”. He and his wife Martha moved to Charlottesville in 2016 from the Boston area.
Luke Roark, Treasurer
With a lifelong background in building and craftsmanship, Luke established his own Class A firm, Commonwealth Contractors, in 2020 and has since been recognized for his expertise and commitment to quality. Through his work, Luke aims to honor the legacy of Virginia’s craftsmanship and contribute to the preservation of our unique architectural heritage.
He actively participates in community organizations, including the Charlottesville Greater Area Chamber of Commerce, the Building Goodness Foundation, Shenandoah National Trust Fund, and the Blue Ridge Home Builder Association.
MJ Abbitt Secretary
Mary Jae Abbitt (MJ) holds a MSBA from Boston University’s London International Program and graduated from Furman University with a BA (history major, English minor). Her Masters provided expertise in public sector securities’ regulation at the SEC and private sector financial services compliance at NYSE and NASDAQ. A Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, at USAID she advised economic development and better governance controls in European countries preparing for NATO and EU membership and countries in conflict. After working with impoverished children in Bamian Province Afghanistan, she constructed a 500 student school, still operating under Taliban control.
MJ enjoyed enriching her knowledge of the founding era as a part-time Guide at James Monroe’s Highland. She employed both her business and history degrees in restoring and operating Scottsville’s award-winning High Meadow Vineyard Inn and Restaurant. She enjoys community engagement as Chair of the Paramount Theater’s Arts Education Committee and as Highland Commissioner. A gardener, she holds an AA degree in Horticulture & Landscaping. And, researching family genealogy is a special hobby.
MJ looks forward to being a part of ACHS as we celebrate our country’s 250th Anniversary in 2026!
Shelley Murphy
A native of Michigan, Dr. Murphy has been an avid genealogist for nearly three decades, specializing in the study and practice of African American genealogical research. She is a much sought-after guest lecturer throughout the country and is well known here in the Central Virginia region for her exceptional work in this field. Dr. Murphy holds a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix. She is an Adjunct Professor for Averett University’s satellite campus in Richmond. She also works part time as a Housing Counselor with the Piedmont Housing Alliance, routinely educating citizens on family financial literacy and the benefits of home ownership. Currently, Dr. Murphy is the lead Descendant Project Researcher for the UVA Descendant Outreach Program and Memorial to Enslaved Laborers.
Bunny Gibbons
Bunny is a native of Charlottesville. She grew up on her family’s farm showing horses and foxhunting. She attended St. Anne’s-Belfield and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Virginia. Bunny is a realtor for Loring Woodriff Real Estate.
Bunny is a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Board member of the Virginia Thoroughbred Project, Ednam Forest HOA and Ednam HOA. She is a frequent volunteer at Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry and Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society. She enjoys playing golf and attending UVa. sporting events with her family.
Helice Henderson Jones
Helice is a native of Charlottesville, Virginia. She obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree from Howard University and her Master’s Degree in Education Degree from Virginia State University. She is currently a teacher with Hampton City Schools in Hampton, Virginia and most recently a teacher with Newport News Public Schools in Newport News, Virginia.
A descendant of an Enslaved Laborer at UVA, Helice is a founding Board Member of the Descendants of Enslaved Communities at the University of Virginia.
When not teaching in the classroom, Helice enjoys exploring history, genealogy, cruising, and spending time with family. She and her husband, retired Air Force MSGT Charles Jones, Jr., reside in Hampton, Virginia.
Alex Rayfield
Alex is a licensed Professional Engineer with over a decade of experience in civil and structural engineering. A graduate of The University of Alabama with a background in civil, construction, and
environmental engineering, he specializes in structural investigations, inspections, design, and consulting. His expertise spans complex commercial and residential projects, energy efficiency
testing, and real estate inspections.
With a career that includes roles at AECOM and AECOM Tishman, Alex has
contributed to major infrastructure and defense projects, from
hospital renovations to international military facility developments.
He currently leads Elevated Structural Solutions and Virginia’s Choice
Home Inspections, offering structural consulting and property
inspections in central Virginia. Active in his professional community,
he serves on the Blue Ridge Home Builders Board and committees within
the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors.
Andrew Kahrl
Andrew Kahrl is a professor of History and African American Studies and Director of the Institute for Public History at the University of Virginia. He is the author of several award-winning books and numerous articles in leading academic journals on the history of race and inequality in the U.S. His most recent book, The Black Tax: 150 Years of Theft, Exploitation, and Dispossession in America (published in 2024), received the Lizabeth Cohen Prize for the Best Book on Cities and Political Power and honorable mention for the Kenneth Jackson Award for Best Book in North American Urban History from the Urban History Association, and was named a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in History. In addition to his scholarship, Kahrl has written opinion pieces and essays for the New York Times, Washington Post, The Guardian, Boston Review, The American Prospect, and Jacobin, among other popular outlets, and has appeared on a variety of media outlets, including NPR, C-Span, Pacifica Radio, and Bloomberg.
