The American Heart Association has named Jock and Charlene Wheeler as co-chairs of the Heart of Central Virginia campaign for 2026–2027. In these volunteer leadership roles, the Wheelers will coordinate community-wide efforts to ensure people in Central Virginia have the opportunity for healthier lives. The campaign engages companies, civic leaders and individuals to create lasting impact across the AHA’s strategic areas.
The year-long initiative will culminate in the Central Virginia Heart Ball, a flagship event that celebrates progress, honors volunteers and raises awareness and funds to support the AHA’s work in the region.
Both Jock and Charlene describe deeply personal reasons for their involvement. Jock recounted his father’s career as a vascular surgeon and noted that, despite facing vascular heart disease himself, his father benefited from medical advances—open‑heart surgery and multiple stents—and lived to age 91. That personal history informs Jock’s commitment to advancing heart health in his community.
Charlene emphasized family and friends affected by cardiovascular disease and cited particular concern for children with cardiac challenges. She described heart health as personal and said she is motivated to support families navigating difficult medical journeys.
Jock Wheeler is the founder and chief executive officer of Old Dominion Mechanical. He built the company into an organization of more than 150 industry professionals and has led the business to be recognized on the Inc. 5000 list for nine consecutive years. Under his leadership, the company has emphasized safety, quality and community impact.
Charlene Wheeler is a seasoned healthcare professional who transitioned from a medical career to focus on family and other interests. Her experience in health care will inform her role as co-chair of the Central Virginia Heart Ball and in community advocacy.
Together, the couple plan to leverage personal and professional networks to promote wellness initiatives and heart health advocacy throughout Virginia.
The Heart of Central Virginia campaign aligns its work with the American Heart Association’s four focal areas—discovery, advocacy, access and knowledge—sometimes described internally as the Four Chambers of the organization’s work. The campaign seeks to engage stakeholders across the region to support research, promote equitable access to care, advocate for public health measures and share life‑saving information with the community.
The co-chairs’ responsibilities include mobilizing volunteers and donors, raising awareness of cardiovascular disease and supporting programs that translate scientific advances and policy efforts into improved health outcomes locally.
The 2027 Central Virginia Heart Ball is presented by Old Dominion Mechanical and is scheduled for Saturday, April 24, 2027, at Main Street Station. The annual fundraising event showcases the AHA’s year-round work in Central Virginia and serves as a night to recognize volunteers, honor supporters and share survivor stories.
The Heart Ball program includes dinner, dancing and an auction. Proceeds and attention generated by the event support the Heart Association’s community programs, research funding, advocacy and educational outreach across the Four Chambers.
For more information about supporting or attending the Central Virginia Heart Ball, the release directs interested parties to www.heart.org/rvaheartball and provides a direct contact: Liz Arline at liz.arline@heart.org.
Rich Reinecke, volunteer board chair of the Heart Association in Central Virginia and president of Fahrenheit Advisors, publicly welcomed the Wheelers as co-chairs. He said their vision and energy, combined with commitment to the AHA mission, make them an outstanding choice to lead the campaign and to unite community leaders in advancing health and hope.
The Heart Ball is presented by Old Dominion Mechanical, reflecting the company’s role as a lead sponsor for the 2027 event.
Individuals or organizations interested in supporting the Heart of Central Virginia campaign or attending the Central Virginia Heart Ball can visit www.heart.org/rvaheartball for event details and registration information. The media contact listed in the announcement is Audry Dubon at audry.dubon@heart.org. For event-specific inquiries, the release lists Liz Arline at liz.arline@heart.org.
General public inquiries to the American Heart Association may be directed to the AHA helpline at 1‑800‑AHA‑USA1.
The release reiterates the American Heart Association’s longstanding mission as a national organization dedicated to improving cardiovascular health. It notes the AHA’s role in funding research, advocating for public health, providing resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke, and working to implement solutions in science, policy and care. The announcement situates the Heart of Central Virginia campaign within that broader organizational mission and regional work to advance equitable health for all communities.