Meet the Board
Mitzi Saffos, President
Born and raised in Colonial Beach, Virginia, Mitzi attended school locally through her senior year. After graduation, she worked for over a decade at what is now the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, Virginia. She later attended Mary Washington College and earned a BA in American Studies. After graduating, she held positions at George Washington’s Fredericksburg Foundation and later at the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center (FAMCC).
In the latter position she served as Director of Special Events and considers her work on the 2007 event, Discovery Days: Exploring Virginia with John Smith, as the highlight of her museum career. After leaving her position at FAMCC, she moved full-time to her home in Colonial Beach, where she and her husband Ted established the first brewery in the town, aptly named Colonial Beach Brewing.
She and Ted recently retired from the brewery business which is now in the capable hands of their son Chris and partner Jen, leaving the retirees to focus their time and talents on community efforts.
Deborah Newman, Vice President
Deborah Newman is the owner of Petite Taway Inc, web design and social media marketing company specializing in working with small businesses and nonprofits. Deborah designs custom websites for a host of organizations and businesses throughout the United States and abroad. She also provides social media and web management training, designs marketing materials, and creates stategic fundraising plans.
​Prior to creating her web design business, Deborah was in the restaurant and hospitality business in Northern Virginia for 25 years. She earned a BA from George Mason University in The Studies of the Americas and is a published editor for Resources for a Multicultural Classroom (The Multicultural Resource Series, V. 2) Editor - National Education Association (June 1, 2000).
Deborah is a Board Member of the Westmoreland County Museum, the Fredericksburg-Este Association , JART Inc, and is the Marketing Director for FailSafe-ERA. Deborah is the founder of three networking groups which encourage collaboration and partnership and she presently works with clients all across the United States, Canada, the UK and Africa.
Jeanette Baker, Secretary
Jeanette Baker has been a full time Colonial Beach resident since 2014. She vacationed in Colonial Beach with her family as child and upon retirement made her home here. She has a deep interest in the history of the Northern Neck in general and Colonial Beach in particular.
Starting as volunteer docent in 2018 she joined the Board as Secretary in 2023. She enjoys meeting the visitors and learning more about our town every day.
Mary DeAtley, Board Member
Born and raised in Richmond County, Virginia, Mary’s family later relocated to the community of Zacata in Westmoreland County, where she met her future husband, Frank DeAtley. Mary graduated from Washington and Lee High School. After her marriage, she opened DeAtley Automotive, which she owned and operated from 1986 to 2008.
Over the years, Mary has been involved in many community activities. She and her family have been involved in the local car club for decades and have supported many local charities through car club activities. Mary is also a prolific baker, her cakes gracing many wedding tables over the years.
Her passion for local history led her to co-found the group ‘Memories of Colonial Beach’ of which she has been a member for many years. She joined the Colonial Beach Historical Society several years ago and is co-curator at the museum. Along the way, Mary has found time to pursue her love of art, studying under artist and professor Sidney King. Her works are numerous and have been shown and purchased in the area for many years.
Betty Moyler, Board Member
Betty Moyler was born in the small town of Gaffney, SC, and raised in Miami, FL. She graduated from Strayer University with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s degree in Information Management in Maryland.
Betty furthered her education at CSP International Staging Academy, earning certifications in Home Staging, E-design, and Residential Transitional Specialist.
She is the founder of OutFront Design, a Home Staging and Interior Decorating business. In her free time, she enjoys painting, upcycling furniture, and playing the piano.
Kelly Woods Vaughn, Board Member
Kelly Woods Vaughn is the co-owner and COO of B & K Hotels which is the parent company of the Riverview Inn here in Colonial Beach, in the Northern Neck of Virginia. Revitalizing the Riverview Inn in 2017, brought a new business to Hawthorne Street, strengthening the small business community of Colonial Beach.
In her career, Kelly has worked with local, state and federal government agencies, the health, construction industries and non-profits. She comes with corporate experience, marketing, contracting and fundamental management.
Scott Lindsey, Board Member
Scott Lindsey is a part time resident of Colonial Beach for the past 4 years. Dividing his time between the river and Fredericksburg. Scott recently retired as a Franchisee with Sylvan Learning Centers. He just opened a coastal boutique here in town called Magnolia Hall. magnoliahallcbva.com
He and his partner own and operate a few short term rentals in town called CBVA Rentals. cbvarentals.com Scott serves on the local B.A.M.M. Board which supplements after school programs and scholarships to local students. He also serves on a Presidential Advisory Board at the University of Mary Washington. Scott enjoys the rich history of our river community and has worked on restoring multiple properties in town including their home built in 1907.
Cyrus Murphy, Board Member
Cyrus was born and raised in Texas, and has lived in Colonial Beach since 2013. He graduated from Wayland University Plainview, TX with a BS in Management of Technology and Defense Acquisition University Ft. Belvoir, VA with a Level 3 Certification in Advanced Senior Program Management, and membership in the Defense Acquisition Corps.
After graduation in Texas, Cyrus enlisted in the Navy and advanced through 12 years of service to Master Chief Petty Officer. He was then commission a Naval Officer serving another 20 years as a Surface Warfare Officer/Surface Electronics Officer, retiring as a Commander with 32 total years of Active Duty. He served at many Naval Stations, and in numerous Navy ships of all classes, fulfilling the Navy’s promise: “Join the Navy, see the world”.
Cyrus retired from the Navy at the Pentagon Air Warfare Department as the Head of Aircraft Carrier Warfare Systems Requirements and Resource Management. After Active Duty Navy, Cyrus joined LSA, Inc. as a Navy contractor for 5 years supporting Aircraft Carrier overhaul and modernization. He then entered into Civil Service as the Deputy Major Program Manager for Aircraft Carrier Ship Self Defense Systems (GS15) working at both Naval System Engineering Command Washington DC and Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren VA.
After completely retiring in 2020, Cyrus devoted his time to volunteering at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and at the Colonial Beach Museum as a docent. In his free time, he enjoys road trips to area museums and historic sites, antiquing, hiking, working on his 1980 Corvette, and playing with his loyal and loving Hound Dog, Lizzie.