ADR Board

Tara Ramsey
Vice President

As the Chief Executive Officer of Instant Systems, Tara Ramsey draws upon her deep leadership
experience in growth companies with innovative products. As rapid advances in biotechnology
continue, specifically in areas of cell-based assay/culturing, tissue engineering/regeneration,
biopharmaceuticals and fermentation, Tara uses her experience to spearhead the next generation of products designed to anticipate and solve future challenges facing these fast growth markets.
Tara has proven experience in building ‘Built-to-Last’ companies. Prior to Instant Systems, she took a start-up biotech and grew it into a globally renowned company responsible for innovations in point of care diagnostic medical devices. In 2007, this company, Instant Technologies, was sold to Inverness Medical. Today it continues to thrive as a division of Abbot Diagnostics.

While building strong companies as well as bringing needed innovations remains Tara’s focus for Instant Systems, she believes that one of the most rewarding parts of her role as CEO comes in joining with other business and community leaders to effect positive social change. Her work in this area centers on creating a more equitable society through the creation of well-paying jobs for a workforce rich in diversity and through the formation of world-class health care accessible to all. She is honored to serve on several boards in Hampton Roads, where she partners with likeminded leaders to help create a better future for all who call the 757 home.

Having grown up here in Tidewater, Tara loves her hometown, believing it to be one of the best places to live, work, and play. She can often be spotted kayaking in one of the many beautiful waterways or biking on the Elizabeth River Trail with her family.

Annette Wilson
Treasurer

Annette V. Wilson is an award-winning professional banker with over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. She is currently a Vice President and Retail Sales Manager with Townebank. Annette has served on the executive board of Tidewater Youth Services Commission, Dress For Success Hampton Roads & and the City of Chesapeake housing board.
She is also the founder and managing director of Craigwil Ministries. Craigwil offers ecclesiastical services, motivational presentations, customer service, leadership, and financial literacy training to low to moderate-income individuals.

Rebecca Little
Secretary

Rebecca Little joined the Navy in 2014 has been proudly serving since. She has always had a fascination for reading. While growing up in Indiana she didn’t realize how hard she worked each night attempting to get through her class schedule of reading and writing. Eventually she was diagnosed with a learning disability, dyslexia and struggled with reading comprehension over the years. Her time in the US Navy has led her around the world and across the country, currently landing her in Hampton Roads. While stationed here she reached out to volunteer and found ADR, passionate about spreading the love of reading. She hopes to utilize her knowledge and skills to strengthen the community one book at a time. She attends University of Maryland Global Campus and plans on completing a bachelor’s degree in general studies. Dual military mom of three juggles the demands asked of her, as she hopes to enlighten young minds!

Gary Anderson
Executive Director

Gary Anderson is the Founder and Executive Director of All District Reads, an organization focused on Lighting Literacy Fires in the home.  This is the third nonprofit Gary has organized involving Read Aloud programs.  All District Reads is Gary’s first nonprofit that has focused on system-wide execution and community engagement.  Gary has discovered over the last 30+ years the positive and lasting impact that Read Aloud programs have on children and their families.

Gary is married to his college sweetheart, Debbie.  They use up any free time they have enjoying their 13 grandchildren.

Trey Campbell
Director

Trey Campbell is the Special Executive Assistant to Louis S. Haddad, President and CEO of Armada Hoffler Properties, Holdings, and Construction Company. Before joining the Armada family, she was a 10-year employee of the Virginia Beach City Public Schools System, where she trained and managed office teams when she wasn’t assisting in Curriculum and Development for Gifted and Differentiated Learners at the District’s Central Office. Trey has taken multiple TESOL courses that focus on early reading initiatives and cultural factors that affect literacy. Trey is Armada Hoffler’s liaison to the Board of Directors.

Kimberly Peck
Director

Kimberly Peck is the Manager of Administration and Human Resources at Instant Systems, a MedTech company based in Norfolk, VA. Kim graduated with her B.S. in Biology from San
Diego State University. She draws upon her experience, education and skills to develop effective programs and policies to support company growth strategies. She protects Instant Systems’ most valuable asset, its people, by spearheading innovations in talent management, thus boosting job satisfaction, employee commitment, and company loyalty. While driving strategic growth initiatives remains Kim’s focus for Instant Systems, she believes community engagement is key to the growth and health of our region. To this end, Kim is committed to actively participating in the community and currently serves as a Mentor in the GNC/NSU student mentorship program and as an active member of HRSHRM and SHRM.

Dr. Norou Diawara
Director

Dr. Norou Diawara is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics within the College of Sciences at Old Dominion University. He joined the university in the fall of 2006 and was promoted to the rank of Full Professor in 2018.

Throughout his career, Dr. Diawara has authored more than 75 scholarly publications, including two books and five book chapters. He has delivered over 50 professional presentations and has mentored students at all levels, serving as chair or member of dissertation and thesis committees for Ph.D. and Master of Science students in Statistics, as well as undergraduate researchers. In addition, he has reviewed more than 40 doctoral and master’s dissertations across a wide range of disciplines, including Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering, Education, Oceanography, Health Sciences, and Business. His research and scholarly contributions have been supported by several funded grants.

Dr. Diawara’s record in education reflects the central role that drawing on his experience, he is committed to support ADR develop continuous improvement across the communities, schools, and communities it serves.