Governor appoints new members to Board of Visitors

Gov. Bob McDonnell has appointed three new members to the Radford University Board of Visitors (BOV).

In an announcement July 19, the governor appointed Radford alumni Callie M. Dalton of Roanoke, president of Callie Dalton & Associates Realty; Michael S. Hurt of Midlothian, founder and partner of ARMS Software and of HBG Group Holdings; and Alethea "A.J." Robinson of Bluefield, event organizer for Second Chance Rocks the Two Virginia Concert.

RU President Penelope W. Kyle welcomed the appointees to the BOV, saying, "I appreciate the willingness of the newest members of our Board of Visitors to serve Radford University and the Commonwealth of Virginia. I look forward to working together to build upon this institution’s legacy and our commitment to the higher education goals of this University and the state."

Three members whose terms expired June 30 are Nancy E. Artis; J. Brandon Bell, II; and Darius A. Johnson.

Kyle also acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing BOV members. "We are very grateful for Nancy’s, Brandon’s and Darius’ commitment to Radford University during their service on the BOV. Because of their dedication, we have made significant progress positioning RU to serve future generations of students."

Artis, of Pagosa Springs, Colo., served 2006-2009 to fill the unexpired term of a retiring member. She was then appointed to her first full term, serving 2009-2013. She also served as the Vice Rector of the Board of Visitors from 2008-2010.

Bell, of Roanoke, and Johnson, of Richmond, both served on the BOV 2008-2013.

A brief biography follows for each newly appointed member:

Dalton is a realtor with Long and Foster and owner of Callie Dalton & Associates Realty. She earned a B.S. in Interior Design from Radford University in 1982. She is an active alumna and serves on the Radford University Athletic Foundation Board of Directors. She was recognized with the RU Alumni Association Outstanding Service Award in 1998. Her son, Ted Ernest Dalton '09, graduated with an B.B.A. in Management. RU’s Dalton Hall is named in honor of her late grandfather-in-law, Judge Ted Dalton, and her late father-in-law, Governor of Virginia John N. Dalton.

Hurt is founder and partner of both ARMS Software and HBG Group Holdings. He earned a B.S. in Mathematics from Radford University in 1994 and is a former member of the men’s baseball team. He is an active alumnus, serving as vice president of the Radford University Foundation Board of Directors and as president of the Radford University Athletic Foundation Board of Directors. He has served as a member of the RU College of Science and Technology Alumni Advisory Board and is the former chief executive officer for Amentra, Inc.

Robinson serves as an event organizer for the Second Chance Rocks the Two Virginia Concert, which benefits over 35 local agencies and charities. She earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Virginia Western Community College and attended Radford University, majoring in criminal justice. She serves as chairperson of the Sanders House Managing Board; secretary of the East River Mountain Garden Club; incoming secretary of the Dudley Elementary PTO; and board member of the Graham High School Educational Foundation. She previously served as director of special projects on behalf of Allen for U.S. Senate; campaign staff, Kilgore for Governor; constituent services representative and legislative coordinator for Senator George Allen; and congressional staff for Senator John Warner.

Learn more about Radford University at www.radford.edu.

Jul 19, 2013
Joe Carpenter
(540) 831-7270
ljcarpenter@radford.edu