Danville-Southside Program

Todd Haymore, Virginia's Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, will speak in Danville next Tuesday, Aug. 24, at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.

Haymore, a native of Pittsylvania County, will talk on leadership and current issues in agriculture and forestry as part of the annual Southside Public Leadership Series sponsored by the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia and the Danville Register & Bee.

The 7 p.m. talk, which is free and open to the public, will be followed by a Sorensen reception from 8 to 8:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend both the talk and the reception and to participate in the question-and-answer period. The media is welcome and cordially invited to attend.

Todd Haymore became Virginia’s second Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry in January 2010, succeeding Robert S. Bloxom. In addition to serving in Governor Bob McDonnell’s Cabinet and his duties as the chief marketing and development officer of the state’s two largest industries, Haymore is responsible for two of the state’s most well known agencies, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF). He is also responsible for the Virginia Agricultural Council.

Prior to his appointment as Secretary, Haymore served as Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services from August 2007 to January 2010. The Department is responsible for over 60 laws and more than 70 regulations relating to consumer protection and the promotion of agriculture. The Virginia Department of Forestry protects almost 16 million acres of forest land from fire, insects and disease and manages 19 state forests and other state lands totaling approximately 58,000 acres for timber, recreation, water, research, wildlife and biodiversity. The agency’s mission is to protect and develop healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians.

Haymore was born and raised on his maternal grand-parent’s Pittsylvania County farm. He began his professional career as a legislative intern in Richmond to former Virginia State Senator Onico Barker (R-19th). From there, Haymore moved to Washington, D.C. to serve as a legislative assistant for former United States Rep. L.F Payne (D-5th). Haymore also served as the congressman’s communications director, as well as deputy campaign manager of Payne’s lieutenant gubernatorial bid. Following his work in Congress, Haymore worked in Danville for DIMON Incorporated, a leaf tobacco company that later merged with Standard Commercial Corporation to form Alliance One International. Haymore then joined Richmond-based Universal Leaf Tobacco Company. He served in various leadership positions from 1999-2007, concluding his time with the company as Corporate Director, External Affairs and Vice President of The Universal Leaf Foundation.

He graduated from George Washington High School in Danville, received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Richmond and his Masters of Business Administration Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). He is married to the former Margaret Cary Lewis and they have three children, Catharine Cole Haymore and Elizabeth Whichard Haymore (twins), and Lillian Bryan Haymore.

Mike Taylor of Ringgold, Virginia has become the first person ever to graduate from three Sorensen programs. A Lieutenant with the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office, Mike is a graduate of the Political Leaders Program Class of 2006, the Candidate Training Program Class of 2006, and the Danville-Southside Leaders Program Class of 2005.

Congratulations Mike!

The deadline for applying to the Sorensen Institute's all-new Danville/Southside Community Program for Public Leadership has been extended to January 8.

A Reminder: The Sorensen Institute will host a reception for alumni and prospective
students in the Southside region in Danville TONIGHT, October
30.

The event will be held downtown at the Yene Fusion Cafe from 5:30-7:30pm. Light fare will be provided and the bar will be open.

All
Sorensen alumni and board members in the area are invited to attend
and are encouraged to bring a friend or someone you know who might be
interested in applying to the Sorensen Institute for the 2007 program
season.

Applications are now being accepted for the Political Leaders Program, the Candidate Training Program, and the newly redesigned Danville-Southside Public Leadership Program.

This event is being co-hosted by the Sorensen Institute's Southside Regional Board.

The Sorensen Institute will host a reception for alumni and prospective students in the Southside region in Danville on Monday evening, October 30.

The event will be held downtown at the Yene Fusion Cafe from 5:30-7:30pm. Light fare will be provided and the bar will be open.

All Sorensen alumni and board members in that area are invited to attend and are encouraged to bring a friend or someone you know who might be interested in applying to the Sorensen Institute for the 2007 program season.

Applications are now being accepted for the Political Leaders Program, the Candidate Training Program, and the newly redesigned Danville-Southside Public Leadership Program.

This event is being co-hosted by the Sorensen Institute's Southside Regional Board.

Please RSVP for the event with Amber Capron at capron@virginia.edu.