Leadership
Virginia21′s Board of Directors are business leaders, former elected officials, higher education professionals, young professionals and some of the most impactful movers and shakers in Virginia. They all have the vision to educate Virginia’s future leaders and to support their efforts to make a difference in their communities.
The Honorable Thomas W. Davis, Honorary Chairman
Director, Deloitte & Touche, LLP
Former Member, U.S. House of Representatives
Arlington, VA
Tom Davis is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Virginia’s 11th congressional district in Northern Virginia. He served for seven terms before retiring in 2008. He is now the Director of Federal Government Affairs at Deloitte & Touche LLP. He joined Virginia21 in 2009 as our Honorary Chairman because of his belief in the importance of investing in the next generation of young leaders.
James E. Ukrop, Chairman Emeritus, VA21 Executive Committee
Chairman, Ukrop’s Dress Express
Richmond, VA
Jim Ukrop has been a powerful force for building community and providing opportunity throughout Virginia. He has served on countless community boards and committees all throughout Virginia. He was the founding chairman of the Virginia Performing Arts Foundation, helped revitalize Swansboro Elementary School in Richmond, chaired the Local Initiatives Support Coalition to raise funds for low income housing, and served on the Board of Visitors of the College of William and Mary just to name a few.
Jim’s Ukrop’s name has become synonymous with service and excellence, and we are proud that he has been involved in Virginia21 every step of the way. He had the vision to push the very first student leaders to organize, and he has been providing support and encouragement ever since.
Jay S. Poole, Chairman of the Board, VA21 Executive Committee
Principal, Common Sense Strategies
Richmond, VA
Jay has over thirty years of experience in government relations, communications and strategic planning. After graduating from Virginia Tech, Jay began his career at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He then worked for Senator Mitch McConnell as a legislative assistant before joining Altria, (then Philip Morris). He quickly ascended the corporate ladder becoming Altria’s Vice-President of Corporate Communications. Jay has also served on a number of charitable, community and education boards including serving as the Rector of the Radford University Board of Visitors, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Comfort Zone Camp.
Jay has been on Virginia21′s board since the beginning, and he now currently serves as the Chairman of our Board of Directors.
Robert M. Blue, Vice-Chairman of the Board, VA21 Executive Committee
Senior Vice-President-Law, Public Policy & Environment, Dominion Resources
Richmond, VA
Aaron McClung, Treasurer, VA21 Executive Committee
Director of Gift Planning, University of Richmond
Richmond, VA
Marilyn H. West, VA21 Executive Committee
Chairman/CEO, M.H. West & Co., Inc.
Richmond, VA
Jon C. King, VA21 Executive Committee
President & CEO, Exclusive Staffing Companies
Richmond, VA
Brian R. Cannon, Virginia21 Co-Founder
Lawyer, Harman Claytor Corrigan & Wellman
Richmond, VA
The Honorable Alan Diamonstein
Attorney, Patten Wornom Hatten & Diamonstein
Former Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
Member, University of Virginia Board of Visitors
Newport News, VA
The Honorable James Dyke
Attorney, McGuireWoods LLP
Member, State Council of Higher Education in Virginia
Reston, VA
The Honorable Donald Finley
President, Virginia Business Higher Education Council
Former Secretary of Education
Richmond, VA
The Honorable William H. Fralin, Jr.
President & CEO, Medical Facilities of America
Former Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
Roanoke, VA
The Honorable John H. Hager
Former Lt. Governor of Virginia
Richmond, VA
James W. Hazel
Director, Angler Environmental
Oakton, VA
H. Lane Kneedler
Attorney, Reid Smith LLP
Adjunct Professor, University of Virginia School of Law
Charlottesville, VA
Thomas W. Minnick
Chairman, National Counseling Group
Marshall, VA
Donald Patten
Attorney, Patten Wornom Hatten & Diamonstein
Former Rector, The College of William & Mary
Newport News, VA
The Honorable L.F. Payne
President, McGuireWoods Consulting
Former Member, U.S. House of Representatives
Former Member, University of Virginia Board of Visitors
Washington, DC
The Honorable Anne “Panny” Rhodes
Former Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
Former Rector, Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors
Thomas G. Snead, Jr.
Former Chairman & CEO, Anthem Health Plans of Virginia
Rector, Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors
Richmond, VA
Dave Solimini, Virginia21 Co-Founder
Communications Director, Truman National Security Project
Washington, DC
John T. Stone
Board Member, Portsmouth Parnership
Board Member, Future of Hampton Roads, Inc.
Portsmouth, VA
Demas Boudreaux
Government Relations Director, Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Richmond, VA
Eddie O’Leary
President, CO+Lab Multimedia LLC
Richmond, VA
Felix Sarfo-Kantanka
Assistant Vice President, State Government Relations, McGuireWoods Consulting
Richmond, VA
Anne Schlussler
Founder/Partner, Clarity Staffing
Richmond, VA
Richard McDonnell
Manager, Political Outreach Programs, Altria Client Services
Falls Church, VA
