VCU alumni association names new president and vice-president

By Malorie Burkett

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Commonwealth University Alumni Association recently named Bill Ginther, executive corporate vice president of SunTrust, as president and Dr. Jo Lynne DeMary, superintendent for public instruction for the state of Virginia, as vice-president for two-year terms.

• Bill Ginther – Ginther has had 36 years of service at SunTrust Bank, formerly Crestar. He began his full-time banking career in 1970 as a management trainee in the United Virginia Services Corporation, and has been the manager of several large projects at SunTrust, including the technology team that designed the bank�s customer information system, and he also led the Internet development team. In addition, Ginther began a mentoring program for minority employees in 1996, which led the way to today's diversity councils.

Ginther received his Bachelor of Science in business and Master's in Business Administration from VCU, and in 2000 achieved the University's Alumni Star Award, recognizing his professional achievements and support for VCU. A resident of Midlothian, Va., Ginther also is a 1999 Graduate of the SunTrust University Advanced Management Program.

• Dr. Jo Lynne DeMary – The first woman to serve as state superintendent since the public school system in Virginia was created in 1870, DeMary has more than thirty years of experience in public education in Richmond City and Fairfax and Henrico Counties. She has served as teacher, assistant principal, principal, elementary school supervisor, director of special education and assistant superintendent for public schools in Virginia.

DeMary also served as assistant superintendent for instruction in the state Department of Education until she was appointed acting state superintendent in 1999. In 2002, Gov. Mark R. Warner reappointed DeMary to a four-year term as the state's superintendent of public instruction.

A resident of Chesterfield County, Va., she received her Bachelor's degree in elementary education and her doctorate in educational planning from the College of William and Mary, and her Master�s degree in special education from VCU.

The VCU Alumni Association represents the more than 85,000 graduates of VCU's Academic Campus. Its mission is to support and strengthen VCU by enhancing programs to serve alumni, students and the university. Its headquarters are located at the Richard T. Robinson Alumni House, 924 W. Franklin St. For more information on the Association and it's programs and services visit http://www.vcu-mcvalumni.org/.