David Deal Joins Birthplace of Country Music Alliance Board of Directors

David Deal, Manager of Operational Auditing for Alpha Natural Resources has joined the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance (BCMA) board of directors. “We are excited to have someone with David’s wealth of experience in finance and operations with businesses in Southwest Virginia to assist us as we move forward,” commented Fred McClellan, president of the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance.

After graduating from East Tennessee State University in 1976 with an honors degree in Accounting, Deal has over 29 years of experience in the coal industry of southwest Virginia. During his career, he has become experienced in the operation and financial performance of coal companies across the entire spectrum from the very smallest to some of the largest coal companies operating in our state.

Currently, Deal is Project Manager for Alpha Natural Resources Sarbanes-Oxley compliance project. Sarbanes-Oxley is a relatively new federal law regarding financial reporting by public companies. In addition to his responsibilities serving the coal industry, Deal has worked with numerous organizations and boards over the last 30 years. Deal resides in Bristol, Tennessee with his wife Nancy.

“Having spent my entire life within a 50 mile radius of Bristol, I feel a tremendous connection to our heritage, culture and especially our music,” Deal remarked. He added that his love of our community and surrounding area has led to his personal commitment to contribute to initiatives that preserve and promote our heritage. “In my mind, the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance is working to accomplish this task with all the dignity and respect it deserves.”

McClellan commented that additional individuals would be added to the board of directors in the coming months.

“As we move forward with our planning for the cultural heritage center and continue our daily operations, we are trying to identify individuals that bring the right set of skills needed to take the organization to the next level.” McClellan added that the organization would be making similar announcements in the coming months as these individuals are evaluated and brought on board on a case-by-case basis, rather than en masse.

The Birthplace of Country Music Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to telling the story of the living musical heritage of the Appalachian mountains and the cultural traditions that sustain it. The BCMA is funded in part by grants from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the Tennessee Arts Commission. For more information, call (276) 645-0111.