Get to Know the Newest Members of the W&L Community – 3/7/24 The following individuals recently joined the Washington and Lee employee workforce.

Communications & Public Affairs
March 7, 2024

Drew Kepley, University Architect and Director of Planning, Design & Construction – University Facilities

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I studied architecture at the University of Virginia and Yale University, and have worked in architecture for over 30 years. My wife, Carol, and I have three children. Abby is a sophomore at James Madison University and Caroline will be attending UVa. in the fall. Cole is in seventh grade and enjoys playing tennis.

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

Q. Any favorite regional spots or activities you are excited about?
I am excited about attending W&L activities and sporting events, and learning more about the W&L history and campus.

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Laura Lemon, Assistant University Editor – Communications and Public Affairs

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I graduated from W&L in 2016 as a double major in art history and communications. I worked in Middleburg, Virginia, for a number of years as a writer for the Chronicle of the Horse magazine. I returned to my hometown of Roanoke, Virginia, at the end of 2019 to work remotely, and I eventually established my own freelancing company Lemon Press, LLC. Despite the pandemic shutting the world down at that time, I fell back in love with the area, its authenticity and connection to the outdoors. I have a rescue dog, Minnie, and a horse, Nelson.

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I’m a lifelong equestrian, and a large chunk of my free time is spent riding and competing my horse. I love any excuse to be outside and, when I’m not riding, I enjoy hiking, kayaking, biking, practicing yoga and taking pictures.

Q. Any favorite regional spots or activities you are excited about?
The drive through Goshen never gets old for me. I’m excited about the potential of adding a mug to the wall of LexCo.

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Katie McDaniel, Food Service Worker – Dining Services

Q. Any favorite regional spots or activities you are excited about?
I love to visit the river and I am excited for the warm weather to come back.

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I like to explore a variety of different trails.

Q. Best advice anyone has ever given you?
Keep moving forward and learn from your mistakes.

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Kyle Snider, Grounds Worker – University Facilities

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a lifelong resident of Buena Vista, Virginia and graduated from Parry McCluer High School in 2021.

Q. Any favorite regional spots or activities you are excited about?
I enjoy kayaking and fishing on the Maury River.

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I spend a lot of my free time volunteering with the Buena Vista Fire Department.

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James Zeisler, Assistant Director of Dining Services and Marketplace Operations – Dining Services

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I have been in the food service industry for more than 25 years, from co-owning my own restaurants, to serving as an executive chef of a country club. Most recently, I was executive chef of Virginia Tech Dining. I have a wonderful wife of four years and two children that keep me very busy. I am a Southwest Virginia native and look forward to joining the W&L team.

Q. Any favorite regional spots or activities you are excited about?
I live about an hour away from Lexington and am very excited to learn about the area.

Q. Best advice anyone had ever given you?
“If you ain’t first, then you’re last” – Reese Bobby from “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.” But seriously, some of the best advice I have ever received, is from a past mentor who used a quote from Winston Churchill during a trying time in my life/career. He said “Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.” Meaning, the best way to be successful is to keep going, getting better with every success and to learn from every failure.