Governance

Peggy Layne

Chair

peggy.layne@vccs.edu

Peggy Layne thinks of herself as a “professional volunteer.” After a 40-year career with Dominion Energy, she retired and now dedicates her energy and diverse business experience to work for organizations that make her community a better place to live.

While living in Hampton Roads, Peggy supported The Tidewater Community College’s Women’s Center Advisory Council and the school’s Educational Foundation Board.  She served on the boards of An Achievable Dream-Virginia Beach and Virginia Musical Theatre.  After moving to Richmond in 2017, Peggy continued working with the RVA-757 Connects and joined the board of An Achievable Dream-Certified Academies. She is the past chair the Citizens’ Advisory Council on the Furnishing and Interpretation of the Executive Mansion. In 2021, Peggy returned to the Hampton Roads area.  She continued her support of several organizations and joined the board of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. 

Peggy earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from George Mason University and a Master’s of Education in Human Resource Development from George Washington University. She is a graduate of the Lead Hampton Roads (1989) and CIVIC Leadership Institute-Class of 2017.

Term of service began 7/1/2017, appointed by Governor Terence McAuliffe.

Reappointed by Governor Ralph Northam 6/14/2021.

Terri Thompson

Vice Chair

terri.thompson@vccs.edu

Terri Thompson was appointed to the State Board by Governor Ralph Northam to begin a two-year term beginning July 1, 2019. She was subsequently reappointed to the Board to begin a four-year term in June of 2021.

Thompson earned her master’s degree in Science from The American College in 2019. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Science from Lincoln University in 1986.

Thompson currently chairs the Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Health Board; a position she’s held since 2018. She is also a longtime member of the Tidewater Community College Board and a 2011 graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership.

Term of service began 10/1/2019, appointed by Governor Ralph Northam.

Reappointed by Governor Ralph Northam 6/14/2021.

Brenda Calderon, Ph.D

brenda.calderon@vccs.edu

Brenda Calderon currently serves as an Education Program Specialist at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C.

In addition to managing over $700 million in federal grants, she drafts policy documents and official agency guidance on federal interpretations of law, working with numerous agencies and organizations including the Office of Civil Rights, Office of the General Counsel and Budget Office.

In her previous position as national co-chair of the Hispanic Education Coalition, Calderon led more than a dozen national organizations to develop priorities and policy strategy for federal funding of education programs.

Calderon, who has been published in a variety of higher education venues, has also worked as a Policy Fellow with the U. S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Calderon earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from UCLA. She also has a master’s in education from Loyola Marymount and a Ph.D in education policy from George Mason University.

Service began 7/1/2020, appointed by Governor Ralph Northam

Edward C. Dalrymple, Jr.

ed.dalrymple@vccs.edu

Edward C. Dalrymple, Jr. was appointed to the State Board by Governor Terry McAuliffe to begin a four-year term effective July 1, 2017.

Dalrymple serves as president of Chemung Contracting Corporation, Dalrymple Holding Corporation, and Cedar Mountain Stone Corporation. He serves on a variety of boards regarding Virginia transportation issues including research, quality and training. He is past president and current treasurer of the Virginia Asphalt Association, and past president and current board member of Old Dominion Contractors Association, as well as a board member of the Germanna Community College Education Foundation.

Dalrymple received a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Technology from Louisiana Polytechnical Institute of Technology and an Associate degree in Civil Technology from Broome Technical Community College in Binghamton, New York.

Term of service began 7/1/2017, appointed by Governor Terence McAuliffe

Reappointed by Governor Ralph Northam 6/14/2021.

Dr. Sasha Gong

Sasha Gong is an award-winning journalist and best-selling author. She is also an independent filmmaker, producer, and educator.

A former political prisoner in China, Gong has previously been named one of the 100 Most Influential Women in the Chinese-speaking world. She is also a prior member of the Virginia State Board for Community Colleges, having been appointed in 2010 by then-Governor Bob McDonnell.

From 2014 to 2017, Gong served as senior correspondent, producer, and analyst for Voice of America (VOA). In that role, she covered the 2016 election, including the RNC and DNC conventions. In 2017, she was named Director of Mandarin Service at VOA.

In the mid-to-late 90s, Gong served as a faculty member at both UCLA and Johns Hopkins University. In 2008, she joined the faculty at George Mason University.

Gong graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Peking University in 1983. She would go on to earn her master’s in history three years later. In 1995, Gong earned her doctorate in sociology from Harvard University.

Term of service began July 1, 2023, Appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin.

Jeffrey V. Haley

Jeff Haley has served as President of American National Bank and Trust Company since 2010 and as Chief Executive Officer of the bank since 2012. He has served as President of the holding company since 2013. Prior to these positions, Haley served as Senior Vice President of the bank as well as President of Trust and Financial Services. He also spent time as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the bank. Haley is an alumnus of James Madison University and North Carolina School of Executive Bank Management. Active in many professional and civic organizations, he serves as a board member for the following entities: Virginia Business Council, Bankers Insurance, the Virginia State Chamber of Commerce, and the Virginia Bankers Association Management Services, Inc. Additionally, he serves as Treasurer of the Future of the Piedmont Foundation and was past chairman of the Virginia Bankers Association.

Term of service began Jan. 12, 2024, appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin.

Mark J. Hourigan 

Mark Hourigan is founder and CEO of the Richmond development and construction firm that bears his name. He has more than 30 years of experience in the development and commercial construction industry.

His ability to understand the big picture, coupled with his keen eye for detail, consistently allow him to focus on the drivers of success for Hourigan Construction’s clients. Acting as a champion for innovation and fostering a consultative approach, he has instilled a discipline for continuous improvement throughout his organization.

Growing the next generation of industry leaders is a passion that has led to a role on the Advisory Board at the Virginia Tech School of Building Construction. In this role, he serves as a guest lecturer, assists in developing curriculum, sponsors internships and provides real world experience for capstone coursework by integrating the students into Hourigan projects.  In addition to his professional leadership, Hourigan serves on numerous community service boards.

Term of service began July 1, 2023, Appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin.

Darius A. Johnson

darius.johnson@vccs.edu

Darius Johnson currently serves as Vice President, Employee Engagement & Development at Dominion Energy. His responsibilities include leading talent acquisition, diversity & inclusion, HR communications, and learning & development teams. He also provides guidance and oversight on matters related to employee engagement.

Johnson previously worked as a senior vice president, middle market banking relationship manager for Bank of America Merrill Lynch where he served as primary bank advocate and key financial advisor for a portfolio of private and public company clients. Prior to that role, Johnson worked as EVP/Regional President for Premier Bank, Inc. (formerly Consolidated Bank & Trust Co.).

Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Virginia. He also has a master’s degree in business administration from the E. Claiborne Robins School of Business.

Term of service began 7/1/2020, appointed by Governor Ralph Northam

Wiley Johnson

Wiley “Bif” Johnson currently serves as president and CEO of Hurt & Proffitt (H&P). He began working at the Lynchburg-based engineering and surveying firm as an intern while attending classes at nearby Central Virginia Community College (CVCC).

After graduating from CVCC, Johnson transferred to Virginia Tech where he earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Upon graduation, he returned to H&P as a project engineer.

In 2008, Johnson became chief executive officer of H&P. Under his leadership, the firm has doubled in size and has become well-known in the engineering consulting world.

Johnson places a premium on giving back to the community. He has served in a volunteer capacity on a variety of different boards and committees over the last 17 years, including the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DOPR) Board of Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape. He currently serves as vice chair of the DPOR Board for Contractors and has been serving on that board since 2018.

Johnson is most proud of his association with the Central Virginia Community College Educational Foundation Board, which he has served on since 2016.

Term of service began July 1, 2023, Appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin.

Maurice Jones

maurice.jones@vccs.edu

Maurice Jones is the CEO of OneTen , a coalition of companies dedicated to upskilling, hiring and promoting one million African Americans by the end of the 2020s.

Jones, an innovative business leader and prominent social advocate, previously served as president and CEO of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), one of the country’s largest organizations dedicated to bringing community development projects to fruition. Prior to joining LISC, Jones worked as Secretary of Commerce and Trade for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

From April 2012 through January 2014, Jones served as Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) where he managed the Department’s day-to-day operations, its annual operating budget of $40 billion and the agency’s nearly 9,000 employees.

Jones, a native of rural Mecklenberg County, VA, received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Hampden-Sydney College and attended Oxford University in England on a Rhodes Scholarship, where he received a Master of Philosophy in International Relations. He later received a juris doctor from the University of Virginia.

Appointed by Governor Ralph Northam, term of service began July 1, 2021.

Ashby Kilgore

Ashby.kilgore@vccs.edu

Ashby Kilgore’s career in education spanned more than four decades, having worked as a teacher, principal and deputy superintendent. In 2007, she was appointed superintendent of Newport News Public Schools, the first woman to lead the 30,000-student school division.

Leading an agenda focused on college, career, and citizen readiness, the school division created initiatives that set high expectations for all students. The initiatives included Early College and Early Career in partnership with Virginia Peninsula Community College (formerly Thomas Nelson CC); Career Pathways and STEM innovations with a 417% increase in career certification; a youth development movement and the summer SPARK initiative, resulting in a 93% graduation rate, a 2% dropout rate and a decrease in suspensions as options for student leadership and success expanded.

In 2012, Kilgore was named a 2012 Old Dominion University Darden College of Education Fellow in recognition of her career achievements. She is also the recipient of a 2016 Urban League of Hampton Roads Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Leader Award in Education, the 2015 Humanitarian Award presented by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, and the 2014 Thomas Nelson Community College Medallion.

Although she is retired, Kilgore remains active in her community and continues her work to advance career internships for high school students. She currently serves on the boards of Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, the Virginia Living Museum, and WHRO Public Media.

Term of service began 7/1/2020, appointed  by Governor Ralph Northam

Bruce Meyer

bruce.meyer@vccs.edu

Bruce Meyer of Virginia Beach has deep experience on the State Board for Community Colleges, having served terms 2001-2004 (appointed by Governor Jim Gilmore), and 2010-2014 (appointed by Governor Bob McDonnell). During his latter term, Meyer served as Vice-Chair and Chair of the VCCS State Board.  He also served as a member of the Board of Directors for Tidewater Community College.

He is Founder and President of Meyer Group Insurance (MGI), a full-spectrum insurance brokerage firm, headquartered in Virginia Beach, specializing in Employee Benefits Solutions and Executive Benefits in Hampton Roads as well as throughout the United States.

Recognized as a leader in his industry, Meyer is often called upon at the state and federal level for his knowledge of insurance matters. Meyer and his wife, Connie, publish Hampton Roads Weekly (HRW), a community newspaper which focuses on community news, business, culture, politics, lifestyle and entertainment.

He is a past chairman of Prevent Child Abuse Hampton Roads and was awarded Citizen Advocate of the Year for the Commonwealth of VA.  He was Founder and Chairman of the Republican Professionals Network (RPN) of Hampton Roads.

Term of service began July 1, 2022, appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin.

Alethea “AJ” Robinson

Term of service began Jan. 12, 2024, appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin.

Michael Eric Wooten

michael.wooten@vccs.edu

Michael Eric Wooten of Woodbridge is Vice President for Strategic Direction at the National Industries for the Blind. During the Trump administration, Wooten was Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy at the White House, Senior Advisor in the Office of Federal Student Aid at the U.S. Department of Education, and the department’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Colleges and Acting Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education.

He directed a national education portfolio that included advocacy for community colleges, career and technical education (CTE), and adult literacy education; directed national initiatives serving more than 17 million students through a staff of 75 personnel; and was key participant in new national initiatives to expand apprenticeships and strengthen the national workforce.

He was a member and Chairman of the Northern Virginia Community College Board. Wooten served in the U.S. Marine Corps, achieving the rank of Major.

Wooten earned his Ed.D. degree in Higher Education Management at the University of Pennsylvania. He earned master’s degrees at George Washington University, the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and Norwich University. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Chapman University and his A.A. at Perimeter College at Georgia State University.

Term of service began July 1, 2022, appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin.

Michel Zajur

Michel Zajur currently serves as president and CEO of The Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a position he has held for more than two decades.

Zajur immigrated to the United States from Mexico City with his family in the early 1960’s when he was just a child. He was taught the value of hard work by working in his family’s restaurant, La Siesta Mexican Restaurant. La Siesta quickly became a staple in Richmond and remained in business for over thirty years.

Zajur has received numerous awards throughout his career which include: the National Conference of Community Justices Humanitarian Award in 2002, the Minority Small Business Champion Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration in 2006, and the Global Excellence Award from the Virginia International Business Council in 2011. In 2012, Zajur received the Ohtli Award which is the highest award bestowed by the Mexican government upon a non-Mexican citizen.

Zajur was recognized as “One of the 25 People You Need to Know in the State” by Virginia Business Magazine, and was acknowledged as one of Richmond’s most influential and inspiring people by Boomer Magazine in 2012.

Zajur attended VCU’s School of Business from 1977 to 1982.

Term of service began July 1, 2023, Appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin.