Staff Report

Gov. Mark R. Warner last week announced four appointments to U.Va.’s Board of Visitors, all replacing board members whose terms had expired.

The individuals appointed on March 6 were recommended by the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Higher Education Board Appointments, established in February 2002 by Warner with instructions to review potential candidates for higher education board appointments based on merit, experience, sound judgment and proven leadership.

“Each of these appointees has demonstrated a strong commitment to public service and to the University of Virginia,” said Warner. “These appointees also share a vision of quality higher education being available to all Virginians, and I appreciate their willingness to serve in this vital public policy role.”

John O. “Dubby” Wynne of Virginia Beach is a retired president and chief executive officer of Landmark Communications. Wynne earned an undergraduate degree from Princeton University in 1967 and a law degree from U.Va. in 1971. He is a member of the Board of Managers and Executive Committee of the U.Va. Alumni Association, and is a former member of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and a former trustee of the executive committee of the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges.

Susan Y. “Syd” Dorsey of Hanover County is IBM Corp.’s worldwide marketing manager for state and local governments. Dorsey earned an undergraduate degree from the University in 1982 and a master’s degree from the University’s Darden School of Business Administration in 1987. Dorsey, a director of the University Alumni Association, also serves on the board of directors for the Virginia High-Tech Partnership, which seeks to link Virginia high-tech employers with students from Virginia’s historically black colleges.

Georgia M. Willis of Ruther Glen is senior vice president of Virginia Heartland Bank. Willis earned an undergraduate degree from the University in 1983. Willis, a director of the University’s McIntire School of Commerce Charter Cornerstone Society, also serves as president of the board of the Germanna Community College Foundation and is a former member of the board of directors of Shenandoah University’s Harry F. Byrd Jr. School of Business.

L.F. Payne Jr. of Nelson County is chief executive officer of McGuire Woods Consulting and served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1988 until 1997. Payne earned an undergraduate degree from Virginia Military Institute in 1967 and a master’s degree from the University’s Darden Graduate School of Business Administration in 1973. He is a member of the board of directors of the George C. Marshall Foundation and is a former member of the U.Va. Foundation Board.

“Our new board members bring expertise in areas that are important to the work of the board and the University,” said U.Va. President John T. Casteen III. “All four have been active alumni. Their experience of the University has special value. All of us look forward to working with the new visitors in the coming years.”

Casteen also offered his thanks for the generous service and outstanding contributions of the four board members whose terms have expired: John P. Ackerly III, who served as the University’s rector from March 1998 through this year; Elizabeth A. “Boo” Twohy; T. Keister Greer and Elsie G. Holland.