THE WRITERS

Robert Ruffin

A playwright, has authored over twenty professionally produced plays and a CBS television special.  He was the lead writer for America’s 40oth Anniversary, which hosted such luminaries as President George W. Bush and Queen Elizabeth, II. Robert has taught and lectured in a dozen universities and has been honored by the Kennedy Center. As an actor, he has performed numerous roles in New York and regional theaters, TV and film, a Royal Command Performance for the English Monarchy and received a Telly Award. Producing credits include: Founding Member and former Artistic Director of The Metropolitan Playhouse of New York, an original creator of Theater Without Borders, producer of The Gathering, (Off-Broadway; National Tour and Broadway), Co-Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Virginia Premiere Theatre, and Interim Producing Artistic Director of The Virginia Shakespeare Festival. He is a member of Actors Equity Association, Dramatists Guild of America and SAGAFTRA.

 He is also a seventh generation grandson of Thomas Jefferson.

Jim Robinson

A lover and preserver of history who has actively pursued historic trusts to protect property in Virginia, dating back to the British colonial presence, and in South Carolina, saving the 1840’s structure “Liberty Hall” that was set for demolition. Jim served on the management committees for two reenactments of the Battle of the Hook which, as part of the Battle at Yorktown, was the largest cavalry engagement of the Revolutionary War. He created the Gloucester County, Virginia Revolving Loan Fund (GRLF), where he is executive director. The Trust’s mission is to preserve the historic architecture of Gloucester Court House Village while growing economic opportunities. As an undergrad, Jim studied American history in a six-month class focused on the Constitutional Convention as reported in the 669-page book: Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 Reported by James Madison. After earning an MBA as a Regents Fellow from the University of California, Berkeley, Jim has had a successful decades-long marketing career with a focus on new products.