Foundation Announces New President
VIRGINIA UNITED METHODIST FOUNDATION AND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY NAMES BO BOWDEN AS PRESIDENT
Glen Allen, VA (June 14, 2019) – The Board of Directors of Virginia United Methodist Foundation and Development Company has announced the appointment of Bo Bowden as its next President. Bowden brings deep affiliations and lay leadership experience in the United Methodist Church to this role, as well as significant experience in banking and finance.
His commitment to the United Methodist Church and expertise in financial services will enable the Foundation and Development Company to build on its solid base, drive its growth, and support the Virginia Conference, while enhancing its mission to serve local churches and Conference agencies in their efforts to expand their programs and ministries.
“I am extremely pleased that our search has led us to Bo and look forward to having him as the Foundation and Development Company’s next President,” said Christine Williamson, Chair of the Board of Directors. “The Board has absolute faith and confidence in his ability to lead us in our mission of Methodists Helping Methodists! We are excited to begin this new chapter as we continue to serve United Methodist Churches and investors across the Virginia Conference.”
As a longtime member of the Church Council at Reveille United Methodist Church in Richmond, Bowden has served as both its Finance Chair and Lay Leader. In financial services, he has held various positions over a 22-year career with BB&T, one of the largest banks in the country, most recently as Southside Virginia Area Executive, where he provided market leadership and was responsible for commercial services for ten branch offices.
“I’m excited to work with Virginia United Methodist Foundation and Development Company and have the opportunity to add my professional experience in banking and finance to an impressive team,” said Bowden. “I look forward to continuing to be of service to the United Methodist Church and furthering the mission of Methodist affiliates in Virginia.”
Bowden has served on the boards of a number of nonprofit organizations including Family Lifeline, Virginia’s Gateway Region Economic Development Council, and the Petersburg Museums Foundation. He is a graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond, a member of the James River Writers, and received an MBA from Wake Forest University and a B.S. from the University of North Carolina.
He will assume his responsibilities as President of Virginia United Methodist Foundation and Development Company on June 17, 2019.
Virginia United Methodist Foundation and Development Company engaged Kittleman & Associates to conduct a search for its new President. Kittleman & Associates is a national executive search firm that specializes in the recruitment of CEOs for tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, public charities and philanthropic organizations. For more information, visit www.kittlemansearch.com.
The Virginia United Methodist Foundation provides stewardship education and manages assets for local churches, districts and agencies of the Virginia United Methodist Conference. Through its Grants Fund, the Foundation makes strategic awards to support projects, programs and initiatives throughout the Conference that have the capacity or potential to enrich the work of local churches and/or affiliated agencies, expand the outreach and ministry into the community, and enhance the impact of United Methodist churches throughout the Virginia Conference.
The Virginia United Methodist Development Company (DevCo) was established as a financial service ministry of the Foundation to provide a funding source for loans to United Methodist churches, institutions and other related organizations within the Virginia Conference, which may include retirement communities, colleges and other affiliates of the United Methodist Church. The Virginia United Methodist Real Estate Management Company (REMCO) assists donors with transferring personal assets or real estate to Methodist churches and affiliations of the Virginia United Methodist Conference. In addition, REMCO can manage the transfer of properties on behalf of owners and maintain consistent requirements in accordance with owners’ desires. For more information about the Virginia United Methodist Foundation and Development Company, visit www.vaumfoundation.org.
For more information, contact:
Tricia Louque @tricialouque@vaumc.org
Marketing & Communications Manager