David Duffer, a Halifax County native, is a 1985 graduate of Halifax County Senior High School. He attended Longwood College and graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor’s of Music Education degree with a concentration in piano. In 2005, he received his Masters of Science degree in Administration and Supervision from Longwood University.
David taught choir at Appomattox County High School and Appomattox County Middle School for 6 years. He returned to Halifax County in 1995 where he taught Elementary Music at Sydnor Jennings, Clover, and Volens Elementary Schools. In 2005, he became principal of Sydnor Jennings Elementary until 2016. In 2016, he became principal of Clays Mill Elementary where he remains today. He is a member of Providence Presbyterian Church where he has served as Elder, Deacon, pianist, and choir director. David also serves as choir director and pianist at Mount Laurel United Methodist Church.
David is married to Kay Francis Duffer and has a daughter, Meredith. He resides in the Providence community of Nathalie.
Blair Jeffress is a Halifax County native who currently works as an operations manager for the Halifax County Industrial Development Authority where she contributes to the economic growth and development in the County. Blair has an extensive background in accounting and financial management. She graduated from Virginia State University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and holds a master’s degree in Accounting from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Blair has always loved volunteering, giving back to her community, and inspiring other women to go after their dreams. She currently serves on the Halifax Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs committee and she is a Leadership Halifax participant. Outside of work, she loves to spend time with family, practice self-care, and she is currently studying to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Blair is excited about this opportunity and looks forward to working with the other board members.
Ray Weiss is VP of eLearning and Certifications for PRINTING United Alliance, a non-profit trade association for the printing industry since 2014. Before that, Ray worked and owned his own printing business for over 30 years after serving as a military policeman in the USAF for eight years. Ray and his wife, Susan Black, came to South Boston in 2007 from Maryland and worked at Berry Hill for over a year. They both fell in love with this area and were determined to find a way to move here full-time. They purchased a home in Halifax in 2018 and moved here full-time in 2020. They are here to stay and love this area and the friends they have made. Ray has been an ardent supporter of the arts and contributed to the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in College Park, MD. Ray and Susan enjoy volunteering at the Prizery and helping expand the arts here in South Boston.
Executive Director, Melanie Cornelison, is thrilled with the experience these new members bring to the table. “I know that they will join our existing board as we work to expand our arts programing and arts education activities. We look forward to providing programs for everyone in the community.”
Blair Jeffress

David Duffer
Ray Weiss