Growth4VA is founded by the Virginia Business Higher Education Council and supported by all 16 public colleges and universities in Virginia, the Virginia Community College System, and Virginia’s non-profit private institutions. We are promoting investment and innovation throughout the Virginia higher education system.
What is the Virginia Business Higher Education Council?
The Virginia Business Higher Education Council (VBHEC) was founded in 1994 by Virginia business leaders on the principle that the prosperity of Virginia and the well-being of its citizens is fundamentally tied to access to a strong system of public colleges and universities.
A nonprofit, nonpartisan partnership between Virginia’s business community and higher ed leadership, VBHEC’s mission is to enhance the performance of Virginia’s public colleges, universities, and community colleges and their funding by state government so they can produce the greatest possible positive impact on Virginia’s economy.
VBHEC is committed to educating the public about higher education’s crucial role in Virginia’s economy, and it strives to secure the support needed for the Commonwealth’s colleges, universities, and community colleges to rank among the nation’s best.
Our Partnerships
VBHEC, the Virginia Chamber Foundation & the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia have partnered to form the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (VTOP). VTOP connects Virginia businesses that have work-based learning opportunities to Virginia students looking for them, with Virginia’s higher ed institutions serving as the main catalyst. Learn more about VTOP.
Our Leadership
Board Members
Nancy Howell Agee, Vice Chair
Todd A. Stottlemyer, Treasurer
George K. Martin, Secretary
Makola M. Abdullah
Javaune Adams-Gaston
John C. Asbury
G. Robert Aston, Jr.
Robert M. Blue
Thomas J. Cosgrove
Bret S. Danilowicz
David Doré
Carly Fiorina
Clifford B. Fleet
Brian O. Hemphill
Donna Price Henry
Jennifer L. Hunter
Michael Karafotis
William G. Kelly
Charlie King
Stephen Moret
James B. Murray, Jr.
Mark R. Pace
Troy D. Paino
Delbert Parks
Deborah L. Petrine
Michael J. Quillen
W. Taylor Reveley, IV
Katherine A. Rowe
James E. Ryan
Timothy D. Sands
Mehul Sanghani
Becky Sawyer
Holly Sullivan
Debbie L. Sydow
Gregory Washington
Cedric T. Wins
Preston White
Former VBHEC Chair
Staff
M. Kirkland Cox, President
P.O. Box 1205
Colonial Heights, VA 23834
Phone: 804-641-9890
Email: kirkcox@vbhec.com