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

MIDDLEBURG, VA — The Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association (VPHA) is pleased to announce the promotion of its public programs coordinator, Ian MacDougall, to executive director. MacDougall 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, 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 2022-25, having recently overseen the committee’s bicentennial commemorations of the Marquis de Lafayette’s visit in 1825. MacDougall 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. MacDougall and his wife, Christine, live in Taylorstown in Loudoun County.

As VPHA’s executive director, 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.

MacDougall shared, “It’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.”

“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,” said VPHA Chair Jim Little. “Ian has demonstrated his ability to further the mission to higher levels.”

The mission of the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association is preservation through education — to educate about the history of, and advocate for, the preservation of the extraordinary historic landscape, culture, and scenery in the Northern Virginia Piedmont for future generations to enjoy.

For more information, visit piedmontheritage.org.

Photo courtesy of Middleburg Photo.

Posted on: August 14, 2025