Staff

Jonathan Tagg, Pastor

Jonathan Tagg has been in full time ministry since 1989, Pastoring in Pittsburgh, Florida and Colorado.  In 2003 Jonathan and Robin moved to NC where he worked with The Navigators on their 20something National Leadership Team.  A desire to do ministry in a different way led the Taggs to purchase and manage a restaurant until the fall of 2008, when they accepted a call to lead The River.  Jonathan is currently finishing his doctorate while being husband and father to five.  He loves sports, the outdoors and hanging out with Robin and the kids. [Email Jonathan]

Jim Sallie, Lay Pastor

Jim Sallie made the NRV his home upon marriage to bride Becci (High School sweetheart) in 1987, then operated his own business with locations in Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Salem.  For Jim, the relationships established with people was his greatest reward in business.  Jim serves as Lay Pastor at The River while attending (part time) Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC and he is an ordinand for the diaconate in the Anglican Church.  Jim and Becci reside in Blacksburg with their three children, Elizabeth, Katie and J.L. [Email Jim]

Josh Nicoletti, Associate Staff

Josh has been in the NRV since 2004 as both a student and professional. During his time at Virginia Tech he was actively involved with Young Life's Freshmen Fellowship ministry where they trained and equipped college students to be leaders in local middle and high schools. Upon graduating in 2008, Josh stayed in the area and worked for Kollmorgen in Radford, VA as a manufacturing engineer and at that time began attending The River. Over the next two years Josh sensed an increasing call to ministry, and in Sept of 2010 he came on board as an intern. He enjoys anything outdoors, playing sports, learning new things, and cars.  [Email Josh]

Ross Wilsie, Worship Leader

Ross has lived in the NRV since 1998, when he enrolled as a student at Virginia Tech.  During his time there, he was active in New Life Christian Fellowship (NLCF) leading small groups and participating in the music team.  He currently works in the IT department of a local behavioral health agency as a Trainer and System Administrator.  Ross and his wife, Jennifer were married in 2006 and welcomed their first child, Jonah into the world in April of 2011.  Ross’s musical journey began with piano lessons when he was around five years old.  He would later learn to play the violin, which he still plays today.  He also enjoys singing and playing the mandolin and acoustic guitar.  Ross has been an active member of the music team at The River since the church’s beginnings in 2005, and he began his time as Worship Leader in August of 2011.  He has seen his passion for music ministry grow significantly in the time since, and he’s excited about how God will continue to use music in his life to impact the lives of others.  [Email Ross]

Phil Pegelow, Intern

Phil has been in the New River Valley since 1984 as a gardener/mountain climber.  During his time there he has scaled each of the highest peaks in Blacksburg (one of which being Burruss Hall).  After being asked what he would like to do after conquering such a heroic feat he said, "I'd just like to go home and spend time with my children, Franz Tu Tu and Thor."  I later came to realize he was actually referring to a very large tomato he was cultivating in his garden for this year's "Biggest Tomato Contest" and a garden gnome.  Phil can occasionally be heard yodeling 1980's love ballads to the ducks by the duck pond unashamedly. [Email Phil]