Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission

Purpose

The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission is created as a body corporate and a political subdivision of the Commonwealth and as such shall have, and is vested with, all of the politic and corporate powers as are set forth in this chapter. The Commission is established for the purposes of determining the appropriate recipients of moneys in the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Fund and causing distribution of such moneys for the purposes provided in this chapter, including using moneys in the Fund to: (i) provide payments to tobacco farmers as compensation for the adverse economic effects resulting from loss of investment in specialized tobacco equipment and barns and lost tobacco production opportunities associated with a decline in quota; and (ii) revitalize tobacco dependent communities. The Commission shall have only those powers enumerated in § 3.2-3103.

Term

Four year terms, not more than two consecutive four year terms

Composition

The Commission shall be composed of 28 members as follows:

1. Six members of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates;
2. Four members of the Senate appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules;
3. The Secretary of Commerce and Trade or his designee;
4. The Secretary of Finance or his designee;
5. The Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry or his designee;
6. Five nonlegislative citizen members who shall be active flue-cured or burley tobacco producers or active farmers appointed by the Governor from a list of seven persons provided by the members of the General Assembly appointed to the Commission. Three of the tobacco producers or active farmers shall reside in the Southside region and two shall reside in the Southwest region;
7. One nonlegislative citizen member who shall be a representative of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation appointed by the Governor from a list of at least three persons provided by Virginia Farm Bureau Federation; and
8. Nine members shall be nonlegislative citizens appointed by the Governor. Of the nine nonlegislative citizen members, three shall be appointed by the Governor from a list of six provided by the members of the General Assembly appointed to the Commission.

   With the exception of the Secretary of Commerce and Trade or his designee, the Secretary of Finance or his designee and the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry or his designee, all members of the Commission shall reside in the Southside and Southwest regions of the Commonwealth and shall be subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. To the extent feasible, appointments representing the Southside and Southwest regions shall be proportional to the tobacco quota production of each region. Thirteen of the 28 members shall have experience in business, economic development, investment banking, finance, or education.

   Except as otherwise provided herein, all appointments shall be for terms of four years each. Legislative members, the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, the Secretary of Finance, and the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry or his designee shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. No nonlegislative citizen member shall be eligible to serve more than two successive four-year terms. After expiration of a term of three years or less, two additional four-year terms may be served by such member if appointed thereto. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be made for the unexpired terms. Any appointment to fill a vacancy shall be made in the same manner as the original appointment. The remainder of any term to which a member is appointed to fill a vacancy shall not constitute a term in determining the member's eligibility for reappointment.

Vacant Seats

No seats are available at this time. If you are interested in joining this board in the future, please submit an application here.

Current Board Members

Herman Wayne Carter III

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2026

Sarah L. Wilson

Southwest Producer (General Assembly Nomination) Membership expires on 6/30/2026

Mr Jay D. Jennings

Southside Producer (General Assembly Nomination) Membership expires on 6/30/2026

Amanda C. Cox

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2026

Mr. William A. Pace

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2026

Watt R. Foster

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2026

Lee Everett

Southside Producer (General Assembly Nomination) Membership expires on 6/30/2027

Richard Hite

Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Representative Membership expires on 6/30/2027

Mr. Arthur Dale Moore

Member of the General Public (General Assembly Nomination) Membership expires on 6/30/2027

Zachary Agee

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2029

Kristen Blevins-White

Southwest Producer (General Assembly Nomination) Membership expires on 6/30/2029

Rob Clowdis

Southside Producer (General Assembly Nomination) Membership expires on 6/30/2029

Sandra Frederick

Member of the General Public (General Assembly Nomination) Membership expires on 6/30/2029

Mr Lee H. Wilkins

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2029

Hon. Danny Marshall

Member of the General Public (General Assembly Nomination) Membership expires on 6/30/2029