Long-time grassroots organizer and Roanoke resident, Trixie Averill is no stranger to Virginia politics.

Averill attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana majoring in Journalism and Communications before settling down as a wife and mother. Since moving to Virginia in 1979 she has worked on the political campaigns of several Virginia free market candidates for nearly the last 20 years. She has built a strong network of activists throughout western Virginia, from the Shenandoah Valley to the Cumberland Gap, who have stood with her on tough issues like balanced budgets and health care repeal. And she is a trusted source on issues closest to her network of friends as she has been successful at grassroots lobbying for various consulting firms over the years.

Outside of politics, Averill is extremely connected to her community. She currently chairs a committee of the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitor Bureau and is a member of the Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority. Before that, she served on the Board of the Virginia Tourism Corporation for seven years. She spends her free time volunteering with two animal rescue groups, Westie Rescue and all breed dog transports.

Averill currently lives in Roanoke with her husband, Dan, and has two grown children.