VCCA Black Concerns Commission 2016 Annual Meeting

Chris is the Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources for the VCCS. Prior to coming to the VCCS he served as the chief human resources officer for a community college and a state university in the University System of Georgia and a private liberal arts college in Maine. He is a former question writer for the PHR and SPHR examinations administered by the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI). His areas of expertise are staffing, training, and performance management—or, in his words, "finding, developing, and managing talent in organizations." He is the author of numerous human resources related articles and three books, including Performance Conversations: An Alternative to Appraisals and Search Committees: A Comprehensive Guide to Successful Faculty, Staff, and Administrative Searches, which was published in June 2014. He has recently completed his fourth book, tentatively entitled, Performance Questions: 30 Minutes, 7 Answers, Unlimited Results. He has presented at conferences and consulted with clients in the US, Canada, Australia and South Africa on HR related topics. He holds a master's degree in HR Management, a doctor of philosophy degree in HR Development, and he is also certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources. He is also a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Marine Corps Reserves. 

BCC Annual Meeting Closing Speaker - The Honorable Elizabeth M. Psimas, Vice Mayor

Elizabeth has been active in the community for decades. She is a past president of the Portsmouth Service League, a community service organization founded in 1956. She is also a past director of the Elizabeth River Project, American Red Cross, Full Circle AIDS Hospice, the HER Shelter for Battered Women, and several arts organizations. In 1999 Girls Inc Center for Youth awarded Elizabeth their “Strong, Smart, and Bold” award for her community service. She is past president/chairman of the Portsmouth Division of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and the Olde Towne Business Association. She also served on the board of the Portsmouth Partnership. Elizabeth has been committed to the business community and economic development for many years. In 1998 she was named in the “Top 25 Business Women in Hampton Roads” by the Virginia Business Magazine. In 1993, her business was named “Small Business of the Year” by the Chamber of Commerce. She has served as board chairman for the Portsmouth Division of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, first vice president of the Portsmouth Partnership, and president of the Olde Towne Business Association. In 2010 she was honored with the “Community Service Award in Business” by the Virginia Desert Conference of Temples, P.P. by Carlton W. Newton, #3 Imperial Deputy of the Desert of Virginia. As a political science student, she has been active in many campaigns and social issues. In 2003, Virginia Governor Mark Warner appointed Elizabeth to serve as the Portsmouth representative to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission, a position she held for five years. Elizabeth was elected to the Portsmouth City Council in 2004 and re-elected in 2008. In 2012, she was elected again to the City Council to a four year term. In 2015, she was selected by her peers as Vice Mayor. She is currently the Council Liaison to Port of Virginia, the Virginia Maritime Association, the Economic Development Authority, the Portsmouth Port & Industrial Commission, and the Mayor's Military Affairs Committee.

BCC Annual Meeting Welcome and Greetings - Levar Stoney, Secretary of the Commonwealth

Levar Stoney was sworn in as Secretary of the Commonwealth on January 19, 2014. Stoney is the first African-American to hold this post and is the youngest member of Governor McAuliffe’s Cabinet. The Secretary of the Commonwealth is designated by the Code of Virginia as the keeper of the seals of the Commonwealth. Among the office’s various duties, Stoney assists the Governor in his appointments of nearly 4,000 individuals to serve on Virginia's boards and commissions and the restoration of civil rights to ex – offenders. Prior to serving as Secretary of the Commonwealth, Stoney served as the Deputy Director of the McAuliffe Gubernatorial Transition. He was the Deputy Campaign Manager of McAuliffe's 2013 campaign for Governor. In 2008, he served as Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Virginia. At the time he was one of the youngest state Democratic party executive directors in the United States. During his career, Levar worked in various public and private sector capacities, including for Virginia State Senator R. Creigh Deeds and former Delegate C. Richard Cranwell. Levar remains engaged in civic and community service by serving on a number of boards and committees.  He is a member of VCU Massey Cancer Center Advisory Board; member of LEAD Virginia Board of Directors; member of the Virginia State Bar’s Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee; member of the Jamestown Yorktown Foundation 2019 Commemoration Steering Committee; GReat Aspirations Scholarship Program, Inc. (GRASP) and member of the Ujima Legacy Fund. Levar received his undergraduate degree from James Madison University in 2004. In 2006, he completed the Virginia Commonwealth University Minority Political Leadership Institute's leadership development program. He is a native of Yorktown and a product of the York County public schools.

BCC Annual Meeting Welcome and Greetings - Dr. Edward “Ted” Raspiller, President, John Tyler Community College President