Governor Kaine Announces Appointments
– Includes DBA, DMME, VMRC directors –

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced additional appointments.

Louisa M. Strayhorn of Virginia Beach will serve as Director of the Department of Business Assistance.  Previously, Strayhorn was a management, workforce development and reengineering consultant for 18 years, specializing in minority, women-owned, and small businesses.  In 2004, she was recognized with the Small Business Administration’s Regional Small Business Advocate of the Year Award and the SBA’s Minority Small Business Advocate of the Year for Virginia. She also is a former member of the Virginia Beach City Council.

Linda Sharp Anderson of Richmond will serve as Deputy Director of the Department of Business Assistance.  Previously, Anderson served as Deputy Secretary of the State Board of Elections, a position she has held since 2003. Prior to her appointment, Sharp Anderson served as Chief Executive Officer of The Metropolitan Business League in Richmond for ten years.

George P. “Bo” Willis, currently of Charlottesville, will serve as Director of the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy.  Previously, Willis served as Chief Deputy Director of DMME.  Prior to that, he was a labor consultant in United Mine Workers of America Career Centers, helping laid-off coal miners in Virginia continue their education or receive training in other fields.  He also worked for 18 years as a certified electrical repairman for Pittston Coal in Lebanon, Virginia.

Frank A. Linkous of Wise will continue to serve as Chief of the Division of Mines in the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, a position he has held since 1995.  Previously, Linkous served as Division Manager of Health and Safety with Westmoreland Coal Company’s Virginia Division and has 33 years of experience in professional health and safety.

Neal E. Noyes of Richmond will serve as Director of the Tobacco Indemnification Commission.   Previously, Noyes was the economic development representative for 23 years in the federal Economic Development Association’s (EDA) Philadelphia region, which encompasses Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia.

Steven G. Bowman of Smithfield will serve as Commissioner of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC).  Previously, Bowman served as Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Law Enforcement for the VMRC and has served with the agency for 14 years. Prior to that, Bowman was Chief Deputy Sheriff in the Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office.

Jean H. Bankos of Richmond will serve as Senior Advisor to the Governor for Educational Projects.  Bankos taught in Virginia public schools for 30 years and served as president of the Virginia Education Association from 2000 to 2004. 

Earl H. McClenney, Jr., of Richmond will serve as Senior Advisor to the Governor for Urban Affairs.  McClenney, who is currently an adjunct professor at Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Union University, previously served for almost 20 years as the Chair of the Department of Public Administration at Virginia State University.  Prior to his appointment, McClenney served as an Administrative Law Judge for the Virginia Employment Commission and as a consultant to state and local governments.

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