Todd Haymore to Serve as Rector of Virginia Commonwealth University

Todd P. Haymore, the managing director of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP’s Global Economic Development, Commerce and Government Relations Group, will serve as rector of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). His nomination to serve as rector was unanimously approved by the VCU Board of Visitors, and his two-year term is effective July 1.

As rector, Haymore will chair VCU’s 16-member Board of Visitors. He currently serves as Secretary of the Board of Visitors and succeeds H. Benson Dendy III as rector. Haymore was appointed to the board by then-Gov. Terry McAuliffe in 2017 and reappointed by then-Gov. Ralph Northam in 2021.  Haymore’s term on the board ends on June 30, 2025.

“It is an honor to lead such a committed, thoughtful board, and I thank my colleagues for placing their trust in me,” said Haymore. “VCU is one of the nation’s premier urban research institutions, and a place where creativity and innovation thrive in the arts, sciences, and healthcare. I am humbled to have a hand in helping to chart its future.”

Founded in 1838, VCU is one of the largest public research universities in Virginia.  In addition to its academic focus, VCU is home to VCU Health System, which supports the university’s health care education, research, and patient care mission. For the 2022-23 academic year, more than 28,000 students were enrolled at VCU pursuing more than 200 degree and certificate programs through eleven schools and three colleges.

Haymore serves as managing director of Hunton Andrews Kurth’s Global Economic Development, Commerce and Government Relations Group, the firm’s full-service public affairs consultancy. He previously served as Secretary of Commerce and Trade and Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry under Governors Terry McAuliffe and Bob McDonnell, and Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services under Governor Tim Kaine in addition to various executive roles in the private sector. He received his MBA from VCU, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Richmond.

In addition to his service on the VCU Board of Visitors, Haymore is vice chairman of the GO Virginia Region 4 Council and a member of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and RVA757 Connects’ Board of Directors.