Governor appoints new members to Radford University Board of Visitors

Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced that he has reappointed one member and appointed two new members to the Radford University Board of Visitors (BOV).

In an announcement June 2, the governor reappointed Randolph J. "Randy" Marcus to the Board. Marcus, of Richmond, has been serving on the Board since January 2014. Marcus currently serves in the Office of Governor Terry McAuliffe as a senior advisor for policy.

The governor also announced the appointments of Mary Ann Hovis '65, of Oakton, to succeed Matthew B. Crisp '04, and Mark S. Lawrence, of Roanoke, to succeed Michael A. Wray. Hovis, Lawrence and Marcus each were appointed for terms of four years beginning July 1, 2015.

Radford University President Penelope W. Kyle welcomed the appointees to the BOV, saying, "I am delighted that Randy Marcus is being reappointed to the Board and that newly appointed members Mark Lawrence and alumna Mary Ann Hovis are willing to dedicate their service to the benefit of Radford University. I am confident that they will help contribute to the important work ahead of us in fulfilling the needs of Radford University students and the Commonwealth."

Marcus earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 2000 from Hampden-Sydney College. Previous to his current position on Governor McAuliffe's staff, Marcus served as chief of staff to Lieutenant Governor William "Bill" Bolling and as chief of staff to Governor Robert "Bob" McDonnell's Chief Jobs Creation Office. Marcus is a member of the Radford University Presidential Search Committee and currently serves as chair of the BOV's Academic Affairs Committee.

President Kyle also acknowledged the contributions of outgoing BOV members Michael Wray and Matthew Crisp. "We are very grateful for Mike's and Matt's steadfast dedication to Radford University during their service on the BOV. Their tireless service and commitment to Radford's students, faculty and staff are most appreciated."

Wray, of Roanoke, served on the BOV from 2012-15, including service as rector (2014-15), as a member of the Executive Committee (2014-15), and as vice chair of the Business Affairs and Audit Committee (2013-14).

Crisp, of Cary, N.C., served on the BOV from 2009-15, including service as chair of the Business Affairs and Audit Committee (2013-15), as a member of the Executive Committee (2012-14), as chair of the Student Affairs Committee (2012-13), and as vice chair of the University Advancement and Alumni Relations Committee (2010-12). Crisp also serves as the president of the Radford University Foundation Board of Directors.

A brief biography follows for each newly appointed member:

Hovis is retired after a career of more than 30 years of various positions in information technology. She previously served as vice president of Suss Consulting, specializing in information technology marketing and strategic planning. Her career has also included service with GTE Federal Networks, Contel Federal Systems, Northern Telecom and as the first woman sales representative at NCR Federal Systems. She is past president of the National Capital Chapter of the Independent Telecommunications Pioneers Association (IPTA), the first woman to hold that office in the organization's then 40 year history. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Radford College (now Radford University) in 1965 and has done graduate work at the University of Tennessee. Hovis has served as president of the Radford University National Alumni Association and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Radford University Foundation. She previously served on the Radford University Board of Visitors from 2002-2010, including as rector from 2004-2006.

Lawrence is vice president of governmental and external affairs at Carilion Clinic, Roanoke. He graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration – Management in 1980 and has completed executive and leadership programs at Virginia Tech, The Ohio State University and the Darden Graduate School of Business at the University of Virginia. A member of the Virginia Business Council, he currently serves on the boards of numerous civic and charitable  organizations, including the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Western Community College Local Advisory Board, United Way of Roanoke Valley, the Jefferson Center Foundation, and Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority (Explore Park).