Board of Trustees welcomes two new members

Lord is a principal owner of Nocturne Fine Art. She has over 25 years of experience as an art historian. After a career in teaching at the university level, Lord decided to leave the academic world and start an art advisory business. She uses her passion for art and her knowledge of art history to aid her clients in building their collections. She has developed relationships with galleries and art dealers throughout the United States. Her primary area of focus is on contemporary art and photography.

Lord has taught at Sweet Briar College, University of Virginia, and Brooklyn and Hunter Colleges of the City University of New York. She has presented her research at the School of Architecture at the University of Virginia, Mount Vernon House Museum in New York City, and the Annual Conference of the Society of Architectural Historians. In 2014 Drayton Hall selected her for its Distinguished Speaker Series.

Lord holds a BA in art history from William & Mary, a MA in architectural history from the University of Virginia, and a PhD in art history from the City University of New York. She has completed coursework at Sotheby’s Institute of Art. She has served on several advisory boards including the Musecarelle Museum of Art and James Monroe’s Highland.

Richard Ross is a senior defense and technology executive, and the founder and principal of Spruce Valley Technology Group. He has more than three decades of experience supporting the United States Government,
Department of Defense, and international technology collaboration initiatives. He combines extensive experience in national security, aerospace operations, science and technology integration, and strategic planning with a strong commitment to mentorship, community engagement, and higher education.

Ross served 29 years in the United States Navy in active and reserve naval aviation, operational leadership, and science and technology assignments after being commissioned as a Distinguished Naval Graduate in 1991 following Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Fl. He holds a BA in communication from University of Massachusetts as well as several certifications and course completions in aviation, joint operation planning, and military education.

"I have long believed in the transformative power of education and have been deeply impressed by both the students and broader community surrounding the College of the Atlantic," Ross said in his personal statement. "Having already supported and participated in the life of the college and community, serving on the Board of Trustees feels like a natural and meaningful next step in contributing to an institution whose values and mission I genuinely respect."