Our Staff

	The Honorable Christopher K. Peace, Esq. President chris@cicv.org Christopher K. Peace is a product of Virginia’s private college system, having graduated from two CICV member institutions: Hampden-Sydney College and University of Richmond School of Law. Immediately prior to becoming the Council’s President in 2023, Peace was engaged in the active practice of law and also represented clients as a lobbyist before local and state governments. Peace is most proud of his 14 year service as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates (2006-2020) where he chaired the House General Laws Committee. His extensive legislative work included sitting on the prominent House Appropriations Committee including one term as a state budget conferee, being a member of the Joint Commission on Health Care, and several terms serving as chair of the Virginia Commission on Youth. By his retirement, Peace had accumulated an impressive record as a thoughtful, collaborative, and bi-partisan legislative leader. The House of Delegates commended Peace’s dedication to the Commonwealth by passage of House Resolution 125 in 2022.
	Sabena Moretz Director of Government Relations and Member Services sabena@cicv.org Sabena Moretz joined CICV in January of 2018. Her responsibilities include cultivating relationships with state government actors - elected and appointed officials, agency staff, and others - throughout the year, and then working as a voice in Richmond during the annual General Assembly session. She supports the activities of the CICV Admissions Advisory Committee in their efforts to further enhance the success of collective recruitment goals. Sabena earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science and History from the University of Richmond, and her M.Ed. in higher education administration from the College of William & Mary. Before coming to CICV, she worked in state government relations for George Mason University and in undergraduate admissions at the University of Richmond.

	Jan Smyth Director of Member Services and Finance jan@cicv.org Jan Smyth joined CICV in May 2018, coming to CICV from the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation. Her primary responsibilities include developing and monitoring the organization’s annual budget, organizing annual professional development meetings for various staff members of CICV member schools, managing collaborative business programs and overseeing the corporate sponsorship program. Jan is a resident of Bedford County and previously served as Development Director for Opera Roanoke and the Executive Director of New Vision, a nonprofit organization in Roanoke. Jan has an undergraduate degree from Albion College, a Master’s degree from the Chicago Theological Seminary, and has a certificate in nonprofit management from Duke University.

	Deb Thomas Manager Administration & HR Services deb@cicv.org Deb Thomas joined CICV in the spring of 2018. Her primary responsibilities are to facilitate day to day office operations and to support CICV staff in the successful implementation of various meetings, collaborative projects, and any efforts which advocate on behalf of Virginia's private colleges. Deb brings over 25 years of experience in not-for-profit and educational organizations to her position in Bedford. Deb is a graduate of the College of William and Mary with a Bachelor's Degree in History.

	Tim Klopfenstein, FSA, CERA Executive Director, Benefits Consortium tim@vpcbc.org Tim is the Plan Administrator and chief executive of the CICV Benefits Consortium. Tim began working in the actuarial field in 1980 and has 17 years of experience as the chief financial officer of various insurance entities including seven years as CFO for health insurers. He has a Master’s Degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Math/Systems from Taylor University, Upland, IN.

	Wanda Gardner Manager of Client Services and Accounting, Benefits Consortium wgardner@vpcbc.org Wanda is responsible for the accounting of the consortium and provides support for its member colleges. Wanda has over 20 years of experience in various accounting roles in several corporations, as well as five years of experience in benefits administration. She has a Bachelors Degree in Accounting from Lynchburg College.

	John Boggess Communications and Health Promotions Coordinator, Benefits Consortium john@vpcbc.org John is a Bedford native and a proud graduate of an independent college (Davidson). He is back in Bedford after working in DC on the Hill, for the Kennedy Center, for the American College of Nurse-Midwives, and other non-profits. He also lived in Cincinnati, where he worked as a Realtor in Ohio and Kentucky. While in Cincinnati, he was active with CCMpower, which supports students at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati; and was on a grants review panel for ArtsWave, which funds more than 150 projects and organizations in the Cincinnati area. He’s also a lapsed marathoner who enjoys the many walking and hiking opportunities that Bedford and the Blue Ridge Mountains provide.