Leadership

2025-2026

Charles E. Poston, Rector
Ardine Williams, Vice Rector
Kendrick F. Ashton, Jr., Secretary

Bylaws Article IV: Officers

A. Officers of the Board

a. Rector: The Rector presides over all meetings of the Board and determines the order of its business. The Rector serves as the spokesperson for the Board and its designated representative. The Rector or a Board member designated by the Rector serves as an Ex Officio Trustee of the William & Mary Foundation. The Rector performs other duties as prescribed by law or these Bylaws, or as expressly
authorized by the Board, including the appointment of members to all committees of the Board, special committees, and ad hoc committees.

b. Vice Rector: The Vice Rector performs the duties of the Rector when the Rector is absent or unable to discharge the duties of the office.

c. Secretary of the Board: The Secretary performs the duties of the Rector when neither the Rector nor the Vice Rector is present or able to discharge such duties.

B. Election of Officers

a. The selection of officers occurs at the annual meeting in every even-numbered year. Prior to the annual meeting, the Rector appoints a committee of at least four members of the Board to nominate a slate of candidates for the offices of Rector, Vice Rector, and Secretary. The Rector will charge the nominating committee with soliciting nominations for the slate and gathering input on potential nominees. The nominating committee shall notify members as to how it wishes to receive nominations and input on potential nominees.

b. Prior to the vote of the full Board, members shall be notified of the proposed slate of candidates by the Rector. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the members present.

c. No member of the nominating committee may be one of the candidates so nominated. Nominations are also accepted from the floor.

d. The Board votes to select officers from any members nominated. Under § 23.1-1300 of the Code of Virginia, either the Rector or the Vice Rector must be a resident of Virginia.

C. Term of Office: Each officer serves a two-year term beginning July 1 following the annual meeting. Officers are eligible for reappointment for one additional term.

D. Vacancy of Office: Once it is determined that an office is or will be vacated before the conclusion of an elected term, the Rector or other officer, pursuant to Article IV, sections A.b and A.c, shall appoint a committee of at least four members of the Board to nominate a candidate to complete the unexpired portion of such term. The processes described in Article IV, sections B.b and B.c, shall be followed to appoint a replacement to fill the office once it has been vacated.