Peter W. and Cheryl Shaw Barnes
Peter W. and Cheryl Shaw Barnes are the founders and owners of VSP Books, an Alexandria, Va., children's book publisher. It publishes educational books for children about special and historic places. Its work has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report, C-SPAN, National Public Radio, CNN, Child magazine, the National Council for the Social Studies and other news and educational organizations.
Cheryl is a self-taught artist who was born and raised in Alexandria. She graduated from Randolph-Macon Women's College with a bachelor's degree in political science. After working in the Washington, D.C., area, she moved to Los Angeles, where she co-founded an architecture firm. There she developed the love and appreciation for architecture reflected in her books. She and her family returned to Virginia in 1990. She is currently the Executive Director of the Wheelchair Foundation, a non-profit group that distributes free wheelchairs to developing countries. She is an honorary member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a teachers sorority, and is a member of the board of Northern Virginia Reading Is Fundamental.
Peter is a Washington-based broadcaster and journalist. He currently is the Washington Bureau Chief of Hearst-Argyle Television, which operates 27 network affiliate TV stations. Previously, he worked for TechTV and CNBC. In 1997, he won an Ace Award, the cable television industry's highest honor, for a documentary on the crisis in America's retirement system. He was born in Rochester, N.Y., and raised in Philadelphia, Pa. He graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor's degree in political science and earned a masters degree in finance from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. Peter has also worked for several other news organizations, including the Wall Street Journal. He was a member of the board of directors of Kids Voting USA, Tempe, AZ, a non-profit educational organization dedicated to teaching children about the political process.
The Barneses have two children and live in Alexandria.
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