“It doesn’t matter whether you are interested in maintaining Virginia’s status as the Best State for Doing Business, whether you are concerned about the impact of economic downturn or if you are just passionate about Virginia’s overall quality of life, you want to be involved in LEAD VIRGINIA. LEAD VIRGINIA is where you will find timely discussions, valuable insights and lessons learned on the top issues of today such as transportation, health care, education and economic development. And, all of the right people are gathered in the right places throughout the commonwealth to discuss the right paths to real solutions. If you’re wondering where area and regional leaders, game changers and other key business, political, nonprofit and community stakeholders meet, it’s LEAD VIRGINIA. As a past chairman of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, an entrepreneur and an alumnus of LEAD VIRGINIA, I can assure you that the LEAD VIRGINIA experience will pay dividends — time and time again.”
— Julien Patterson, class of 2005
Chairman, OMNIPLEX World Services Corporation
“Community, to me, is about ensuring that everyone has a rich and full life — a ‘best life.’ Whether it’s our neighborhood, our region or our state, we all have a role to serve in building social capital and using it in our community to provide a best life for all. The first step is understanding the challenges and impediments that we all face in achieving a rich and full life. The LEAD VIRGINIA experience provides that foundation of understanding, builds social capital and provokes the dialogue that is the catalyst for action.”
— Rhonda S. VanLowe, class of 2008
Legal counsel, Rolls-Royce North America
“LEAD VIRGINIA is inspiring. It inspires a group of already accomplished leaders to learn more, do more and help solve problems that, in many cases, exist and reach beyond an individual’s own locality or region.”
— Helm Dobbins, class of 2008
Executive vice president and chief credit officer,
American National Bank and Trust Company
“Participating in LEAD VIRGINIA’s program is an excellent way to learn about critical issues facing the commonwealth and to engage with leaders in developing solutions. I highly recommend the experience to community leaders seeking to broaden their understanding of what is happening in Virginia.”
— Charlie Agee, class of 2005
Director of corporate contributions, Altria Client Services
“This program connects leaders from a wide array of disciplines in such a way that they can better leverage resources to tackle difficult problems facing the commonwealth. Through my participation, I was able to step outside of my established health care niche and learn from industry leaders in energy, commerce, economic development, transportation and education, and consider our common challenges and opportunities. Through these interactions, I developed a cadre of professionals that I can rely on to provide a fresh perspective on my future endeavors — as well as a number of friends that inspire me through their work. It is a learning experience that doesn't end when the coursework does.”
— Beth Bortz, Class of 2007
Executive director, Medical Society of Virginia Foundation
“While we work with counties throughout the state, the in-depth exposure to the different regions and the networking through LEAD VIRGINIA enhanced our comprehension of Virginia’s issues.”
— Jim Campbell, class of 2006
Executive director, Virginia Association of Counties
