VCU news

By Mike Porter

Todd P. Haymore, Virginia secretary of commerce and trade, will be the featured speaker at Virginia Commonwealth University’s fall commencement ceremony on Dec. 10.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe appointed Haymore as secretary of commerce and trade in September 2016 to oversee the economic, community and workforce development initiatives of the state. Haymore previously served as secretary of agriculture and forestry, beginning in 2010, under both McAuliffe and Gov. Bob McDonnell.

Prior to being named secretary, Haymore served in a number of leadership posts in the private and public sectors, including commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services under Gov. Tim Kaine; executive at both Universal Leaf Tobacco Corporation and DIMON Inc., two of the world’s largest leaf tobacco dealers; and legislative assistant and communications director to former U.S. Rep. L.F. Payne.

Haymore received his Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Richmond and his Master of Business Administration from VCU.

Commencement exercises will be held at 10 a.m. at the E.J. Wade Arena at the Stuart C. Siegel Center. Watch the ceremony online at www.vcu.edu. For more information about the ceremony, visit www.commencement.vcu.edu.