Richmond, Va. (June 21, 2023) – Richard Bynum, chief corporate responsibility officer of The PNC Financial Services Group, was elected for a two-year term as board chair of the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF) at the organization’s board meeting on June 21. He succeeds Robert Hurt of Liberty University.

In addition, Gary Thomson, managing partner of Thomson Consulting, was elected vice-chair of the board; Xavier Richardson, senior vice president and chief development officer of Mary Washington Healthcare, was elected treasurer; and Jamelle S. Wilson, Ed.D., dean of the University of Richmond School of Professional and Continuing Studies, was elected secretary.

VECF is a statewide public-private entity that serves as the non-partisan steward of Virginia’s promise for early childhood success, supporting equitable opportunities for all families with young children to thrive.

As PNC’s chief corporate responsibility officer, Richard Bynum leads the PNC Foundation, Community Affairs and Corporate Social Responsibility, Community Development Banking, and Diversity and Inclusion initiatives for PNC nationally. He previously served as regional president of PNC Bank in Greater Washington and Virgnia and had been a member of PNC’s retail executive leadership team, where he led the company’s small business division. Prior to joining PNC in 2005, he had a 12-year career as a senior manager for the American Red Cross. Recognized as one of Washington, D.C.’s most influential business leaders by the Washington Business Journal, he serves on the board of numerous nonprofit and civic organizations. A graduate of Florida State University, he also earned an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He joined the VECF board in 2017.

Gary Thomson established Thomson Consulting in 2019 to pursue a passion to impact the future of the public accounting profession. He specializes in the critical areas of leadership development, succession planning, partner compensation, mergers & acquisition, strategic planning, culture, profitability and innovation. He had previously served as regional managing partner for Dixon Hughes Goodman (now FORVIS), a Top 15 CPA and consulting firm. A past president of the Virginia Society of CPAs, he received that organization’s Outstanding Member of the Year Award in 2017. A member of the VECF board since 2019, he holds a bachelor’s degree from Bob Jones University.

Xavier Richardson is the senior vice president and chief development officer of Mary Washington Healthcare in Fredericksburg, Va. In that capacity, he is responsible for managing fundraising and assisting with grant-making efforts for community organizations, as well as managing the community benefit program and services, and legislative and community affairs.

He oversees the Mary Washington Hospital Foundation, the Stafford Hospital Foundation and Mary Washington Healthcare Community Programs. Prior to joining Mary Washington Healthcare in 1997, he served as assistant director of the U.S. General Accounting Office in Washington, D.C., worked on Wall Street in New York City, and worked with McKinsey & Company. He received a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University, an MBA from Harvard Business School and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Saint Paul’s College. He has been a member of the VECF board since 2020.

Jamelle S. Wilson, Ed.D. serves as the fifth dean of the School of Professional and Continuing Studies at the University of Richmond. Previously, she served as superintendent of schools for Hanover County, as well as a classroom teacher, principal and assistant superintendent, among other positions with the county. In 2015, she was named Region 1 Superintendent of the Year and in 2017, she was appointed to the Virginia Board of Education. Some of her more recent involvements include service as a member of the Board of Governors of the International Baccalaureate Organization and the Board of Governors of the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond. She holds bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Virginia and an additional master’s degree from VCU. She joined the VECF board in 2020.

“VECF is fortunate to have such a talented team of board officers with Richard, Gary, Xavier and Jamelle. Each of them brings a unique perspective and strong commitment to ensure Virginia’s early childhood success,” said Kathy Glazer, president of the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation. “We extend our sincere thanks to Robert for his exceptional leadership as board chair especially during the unprecedented times caused by the pandemic. His vision, guidance and unwavering dedication helped VECF make tremendous strides in our long-term mission.”

“I look forward to collaborating with VECF’s fully engaged board of statewide business and community leaders,” said Richard Bynum. “Working together to lead change is essential as we strive to create a strengthened and more equitable child care system to support the families and children of Virginia.”