Will Shelburne

As a Community Designer and Facilitation Specialist at the New River Valley Regional Commission, Will Shelburne enjoys bringing ideas to life through thoughtful design and collaboration. He holds degrees in Horticulture and Landscape Architecture from Virginia Tech, where he focused on Agricultural & Applied Economics and Gerontology. This background in living systems, economics, and design, combined with a passion for strengthening communities, enables him to apply both creative vision and technical expertise to his work.

Will’s professional experience spans local architecture, engineering, and landscape firms, where he guided projects from concept planning and permitting through construction. These roles helped him develop a strong understanding of stakeholder involvement and the full design-to-construction process, and he is excited to bring this experience to his work with the Commission.

Outside of work, Will is rooted in the local regenerative agriculture community. He spends much of his free time on his family’s riverfront farm, exploring holistic farming practices and enjoying life outdoors. A lover of bluegrass and old country, he plays guitar and banjo, and when he’s not making music, he can often be found tinkering in his shop with antique furniture, vehicles, and farm equipment.