Program Administrator

Mary King joined YOVASO in August 2007 and works in the Salem Office as the Program Administrator. Mary administers the YOVASO Highway Safety Grants and directs the program’s strategic direction and performance outcomes.

Prior to joining YOVASO, Mary worked for 11 years in highway safety as a Public Relation’s Specialist with the DMV Transportation Safety Administration in the Roanoke District. During her tenure, Mary helped the state develop a Comprehensive Community-Based Program concept (CCBP) for highway safety. Her work led to new initiatives for the Roanoke/SW VA District; including the REACH America youth drug prevention conferences, the Preschool Introduction To Traffic Safety Program (PITTS), and the Blue Ridge Transportation Safety Board. Mary also helped found the Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition (RAYSAC) and the Blue Ridge Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), serving as its president in 1997.

Mary has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism/Mass Communications from Virginia Commonwealth University. She currently serves on the Roanoke Prevention Alliance, the Blue Ridge Transportation Safety Board, Virginia Coalition for Distraction Free Driving and other local and state safety organizations. Mary has three children and lives in Roanoke.

Contact Mary at 804.461.0396

Program Development Coordinator

Casey Taylor joined YOVASO in February 2015 and works in the Salem Office as the Program Development Coordinator. She develops, oversees, and evaluates YOVASO’s statewide safe driving campaigns for member schools. Casey also works closely with YOVASO’s Youth Advisory Council and assists with planning the Summer Leadership Retreat. In addition, she is YOVASO’s social media and website coordinator. Casey graduated from Bluefield College in 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications – Marketing, and minors in Graphic Communication and Psychology. After working as an Associate Producer for WDBJ Television in Roanoke, Casey pursued her passion for nonprofit work as the Director of the New Opportunity School for Women at Bluefield College. She currently serves on the Steering Committee for the Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition (RAYSAC). Casey is married to J.D. and has two daughters, Lillian and Hadley!

Contact Casey at 540.739.4392

Education and Strategic Planning Coordinator

Kendall Lythgoe joined YOVASO in October 2021 as the Education and Strategic Planning Coordinator in the Richmond Office. She is responsible for coordinating the interactive safety programs, including the Distracted and Impaired Driving Simulators, ScanEd: Physics of a Crash, and other hands-on educational programs for teens. Kendall also develops collaborative partnerships with other state and local organizations to help expand youth traffic safety programs and increase outreach to teens. In addition, she is the coordinator for the Youth Advisory Council and assists with the Summer Leadership Retreat.

Kendall is a native of Botetourt County where she attended Lord Botetourt High School and was active with the school's YOVASO club. After graduating high school, Kendall worked part-time for four years as a YOVASO Regional Trainer while attending Virginia Tech. As a Regional Trainer, Kendall assisted with safety campaigns, Summer Leadership Retreat planning, social media management and design, and school events.

Kendall graduated from Virginia Tech in the spring of 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and a minor in Psychology. After her years of dedication to YOVASO, she is excited to continue her work in youth traffic safety as a full-time staff member.

In her free time, Kendall loves to volunteer with church missions, youth groups, and summer camps. She’s been attending and volunteering with the same church camp for 15 years.

Contact Kendall at 804.461.8755