President's Council

The Batten University President's Council comprises business leaders who embrace, embody, and similarly align with the University's vision and values in their management practices. Their personal and professional influence and support ensures students are strategically positioned to participate in opportunities such as internships and externships that will prepare them for a meaningful life and career. In turn, President's Council members offer the University valuable insight to the needs of the community and how campus initiatives might fulfill or impact those needs.

2025–2026

John Almeter President NetTek, LLC — Member as of 2022
Bruce Alperin Vice President of Marketing, Facility Management Aramark — Member as of 2019
Julie R. Anderson '96 Executive Vice President TowneBank — Member as of 2016
Delegate Alex Askew Community Relations Director Sentara Healthcare — Member as of 2023
Justin Black General Manager Workvivo by Zoom — Member as of 2026
Tiffany Boyle '14 Commissioner of the Revenue City of Newport News — Member as of 2019
John S. Burton, Esq. '95 Founding Partner J.S. Burton, P.L.C. — Member as of 2016
Tonya Byrd Senior Policy Director, Community Engagement Dominion Energy — Member as of 2023
Alison Byrne Executive Director Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art — Member as of 2026
Ellen Carver Executive Director Girls on the Run Hampton Roads — Member as of 2021
Bart Dexter Vice President, Hampton Roads Hourigan — Member as of 2021
Alan Dworetzky Managing Director, Land Investments Harbor Group International — Member as of 2023
Christopher Garran Head of School Cape Henry Collegiate — Member as of 2020
Bill Gobble '03 Property Manager Self-Employed — Member as of 2023
Stephanie Gorham Chief Development Officer United Way of South Hampton Roads — Member as of 2018
Pierre Granger Agent and Owner State Farm-Granger Insurance Agency — Member as of 2018
Katherine "Kaddy" Hamilton '85 Co-Owner WC Carpenter, Commercial & Residential Floor Coverings — Member as of 2016
Judy Jankowski, Ed.D. Head of School Chesapeake Bay Academy — Member as of 2019
Mark E. Jones President and Owner Jones Printing Service, Inc. — Member as of 2016
Whitney Lester Vice President of Talent Development Hampton Roads Workforce Council — Member as of 2023
Dean Mattix District Vice President YMCA of South Hampton Roads — Member as of 2020
Bill Miller '09 Owner & Workforce Development Strategist Fairlead — Member as of 2025
Eli Miller '00 Principal Broker/Owner Encompass Real Estate Solutions — Member as of 2017
Priscilla Monti Senior Sales Manager, Associations Gold Key | PHR — Member as of 2020
Sherry Norquist, MSN-RN Executive Director, Community Engagement & Impact Sentara Healthcare — Member as of 2025
Jennifer Rouse '08 Assistant Professor Tidewater Community College — Member as of 2023 Virginia Beach City Council Member
Wendy Scott, Ph.D. Director Tidewater Collegiate Academy — Member as of 2019
Cynthia W. Spanoulis President and CEO / Executive Director Virginia Aquarium & Virginia Aquarium Foundation — Member as of 2019
Vernon Tillage Community Affairs Coordinator Virginia Natural Gas — Member as of 2023 Portsmouth City Council Member
Scott Tominovich Partner Thorn Run Partners — Member as of 2021
J. Benjamin Unkle President and CEO Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay — Member as of 2019
Michael Weatherly '02, DBA Founder Halo Holdings Team — Member as of 2023
Al Wiegert East Region, Vice President of Media Sales Cox Media — Member as of 2020
Michelle Ellis Young Chief Executive Officer YWCA of South Hampton Roads — Member as of 2020