Farrell first vice rector

Thomas F. Farrell II, 48, was elected U.Va.’s first vice rector at Thursday’s board meeting. The new post, created at the board's meeting in January, was among several changes to bring U.Va.’s governance model in line with most nonprofits. The vice rector will serve a two-year term and automatically succeed the rector.

Farrell, on the board since 2001, said he wants to work with fellow members toward moving U.Va. into the top 10 in the country.

A Richmond resident, he is chief executive officer of Dominion Energy, an electric utility.

Farrell, who’s also been a member of SCHEV, received his undergraduate degree in economics and communication from the College in 1976. He earned his law degree here in 1979. While at the College, he received the Peter Gray Award (now known as the Gray-Carrington Award), among the more prestigious honors given undergraduates.

To relax, Farrell reads military history and plays golf.