MARTINSVILLE, Va. – The Board of Directors of New College Institute (NCI) has named Virginia Senator William C. Wampler, Jr. as Executive Director effective January 11.   Wampler replaces Interim Executive Director Dr. Leanna Blevins.  First elected to the state senate in 1988, Wampler decided not to seek re-election.  He most recently served on the Finance, Commerce and Labor, Rules, and General Laws and Technology committees. 

Wampler is the senior ranking member of his party as he retires from public service, and played a key role in crafting the state budget as a member of the Budget Conference Committee since 1997.  In addition, he has served on the Senate Finance Committee since 1991 and the Education Subcommittee since 1996.  Wampler chaired the Committee on Commerce and Labor for eight years.  Recently, he served on Governor McDonnell’s Commission on Higher Education Reform.  His term in the Virginia General Assembly officially ends on January 11 and he will begin at NCI immediately. 

The senator’s long time commitment to Southwest Virginia includes service on the Executive Committee of the Virginia Tobacco Commission where he chairs a special projects committee, which helps to attract business and industry to Southern Virginia, specifically Martinsville-Henry County.   Currently, he is chairman of Heartwood, a regional artisan center that promotes Southwest Virginia craft, music, food and local culture.   In the past, he was a leader in the expansion of broadband in rural areas.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Wampler is a senior lecturer in military science at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.  He is a retired Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, where he was recognized with many service awards.  His last assignment was as Commander of the 2nd Brigade, headquartered in Salem, Virginia. 

Rob Spilman, board president for NCI, praised Wampler’s accomplishments, specifically citing his involvement with higher education and economic development.  “William isn’t new to economic challenges.  He has spent his adult life working to improve Southwest Virginia and it is a better place because of him.  His fingerprints are all over new businesses like Northrop Grumman and CGI, and he has connected them with the University of Virginia’s College at Wise and the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center so that the workforce is prepared for sustainable jobs.”

Spilman continued, “I think Sen. Wampler is going to re-energize this area in a lot of ways.  He will not only take NCI to the next level, he will further the interests of the entire community. NCI is the game-changer for this region and William’s vision, experience and energy is going to win the game for us.”

Established in 2006, NCI is a state-funded educational entity that provides access to bachelor's degree completion programs, master's degrees, teacher endorsement programs, teacher recertification courses, and more, through partnerships with colleges and universities.    In 2011 it aligned more closely with Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia State University and Radford University.

Governor Bob McDonnell praised the board’s decision:  "Senator Wampler has spent his 24 years of public service strengthening opportunities in higher education throughout Virginia while being a strong partner in creating jobs.  He  is uniquely qualified to move NCI to the next level in helping revitalize Martinsville and Henry County.  He has my full support and that of my Administration.  I wish him much success."

“Southern and Southwestern Virginia are aligned in strengths and challenges,” Wampler notes.  “Education is key to economic development.  The work force must be trained or, in some cases, re-trained to be ready for whatever the future holds.  After all, what we are about is making sure that individuals are prepared for jobs.”  Stepping into his new position at NCI after 24 years in the Virginia senate, Wampler says:  “I don’t want to waste any time getting to work.   I’m excited about the opportunity and ready to hit the ground running.”

Senator Wampler and his wife Mary plan to live in Martinsville-Henry County.

Blevins will resume her prior role of Associate Director and Chief Academic Officer upon Wampler’s arrival.