The Future of Virginia: Is It Time to Call for a New Leadership Structure?

J. Glynn Loope ’86, founder and president of Commonwealth Advance, will present “Virginia Government and Politics: Demanding New Leadership for a New Century,” as the 2002-03 Arthur S. Owens guest lecturer on Wednesday, December 11, 2002, at 7:30 p.m. at Ferrum College’s Sigmon Recital Hall in Grousbeck Music Center. Loope will argue that Virginia must call for a new governance structure to adequately meet the challenges of 21st century.

Loope contends that it is time to dramatically alter the relationship between the Virginia General Assembly and the Commonwealth’s local governments. Asserting “We can’t continue to govern ourselves as if Harry Byrd was still governor,” Loope points to issues arising since the 1960s as evidence of flaws in Virginia’s constitution for present day application.

In particular, Loope will focus on the effect of Virginia’s leadership on rural economic development and quality of life, framed in the context of the Commonwealth’s current fiscal concerns.

The self-described “raging Independent” has been a delegate to the Southeast U.S.-Japan Association, the Southeast U.S.-Korea Association, and the Korean Economic Council at the requests of Governors Warner, Gilmore, and Allen. The former legislative assistant or staff member of Virginia Delegate Bill Wilson, Senator John Buchanan and Governor Gerald Baliles, Loope has also provided economic development testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and state legislative panels.

Loope acted as the executive director of the Alleghany Highlands of Virginia for eight years. In 1997, the American Economic Development Council named him the Outstanding New Developer of the Year in the United States.

As president of Commonwealth Advance, Loope consults in government relations and economic development issues. Specializing in Virginia Assembly and congressional affairs, the firm serves both public and private clients in the sectors of transportation, development, public utility, and education. The firm also advises state agencies and local governments on economic development planning and growth issues.

The Arthur S. Owens Lecture Series was established in 1983 to provide outstanding lectures at Ferrum College in the fields of business and public administration. Loope, a 1986 International Studies graduate of Ferrum, has served as the president of the school’s alumni association and as a member of its Board of Trustees.

The lecture is free and open to the public. A reception will follow at 8:45 p.m. For more information, contact Dr. Sam Payne at (540) 365-4400.

Ferrum College is a four-year, private, co-educational, liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. For more information on Ferrum, visit www.ferrum.edu. # # #