Emory & Henry University Welcomes Six New Board Members

Emory & Henry University has announced the election of six new members to its Board of Trustees. The newly appointed trustees will officially assume their roles during the board’s fall meeting scheduled for November. The new members include Dr. Walter E. Smalley Jr. ’81 from Nashville, Henri L. Cancio-Fitzgerald ’00 from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Charles E. “Chuck” Alexander ’89 from Washington, D.C., Stephen J. “Steve” Bowery ’83 from Salem, Virginia, Rosa-Lyn “Rosa” Morris from Richmond, Virginia, and Kenton R. Williams ’14 from Madison, Indiana.

Lou Fincher, President of Emory & Henry University, expressed enthusiasm about the new appointments. “These leaders are deeply committed to Emory & Henry’s mission and bring a vast level of professional expertise and passion for service to their new role,” he stated. Fincher emphasized his eagerness to collaborate with the new trustees as the university embarks on a new era of innovation and growth.

The current Board Chair, Ann E. Sluder, highlighted the diverse experiences and perspectives the new members bring to the board. “The breadth of experience and complementary perspectives that these incoming board members provide will be true assets for the board and the university,” Sluder noted. She looks forward to welcoming them as colleagues and partners in the board’s ongoing responsibilities and strategic guidance for Emory & Henry.

Dr. Walter E. Smalley Jr. serves as the chief of gastroenterology at the VA hospital in Nashville and is a professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical School. He plays an active role in patient care and clinical education, sitting on the VA Gastrointestinal Field Advisory Committee and the American Gastroenterology Association clinical practice guidelines committee.

Henri L. Cancio-Fitzgerald returns to the board after previously serving from 2016 to 2024. He currently holds the position of Managing Director for PNC Institutional Asset Management, where he leads the Endowment & Foundation National Practice Group, focusing on investment strategies for nonprofit organizations.

Charles E. “Chuck” Alexander has a history of involvement with the university, having served on the Alumni Board from 2009 to 2016. He is the U.S. principal of Burness, a communications and media firm that supports global public health and nonprofit initiatives, working with significant institutions such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the American Heart Association.

Stephen J. “Steve” Bowery is known as the founder of Virginia Capital Strategies, an investment advisory firm that was later acquired by Wilbanks, Smith & Thomas Asset Management. He continues to advise clients and also serves on the board of the Rescue Mission of Roanoke.

Rosa-Lyn “Rosa” Morris, daughter of former E&H President Tom Morris, was raised on the Emory campus and is now the global market leader at ZRG’s Education Practice, where she provides search and consulting services for educational institutions. She previously held a leadership role at Korn Ferry.

Kenton R. Williams is a third-generation Emory & Henry graduate and serves as the CEO of Royer Corporation, a leading plastic injection molding company known for its innovation and quality production across various industries, including toys and construction. He was also recently appointed to the Norton King’s Daughters’ Health board of managers.

The Emory & Henry Board of Trustees plays a crucial role in shaping the university’s strategic direction. With the addition of these six new members, the board reaffirms its commitment to advancing the institution’s fiscal, administrative, and national engagement goals, as noted in the university’s official statement.