Governor's Appointment Fills Board of Visitors Vacancy
July 28, 2017
Pamela C. Kirk
Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced today that he has appointed Pamela C. Kirk to Old Dominion University's Board of Visitors. Kirk will serve until 2018, filling a vacancy left when Fred J. Whyte died July 7.
Kirk is a 1988 graduate of Old Dominion and previously served on the Board of Visitors from 2005 to 2013. While on the board, she was vice rector for two years, in addition to board secretary and chair of the Institutional Advancement Committee. Kirk also served on the President's Evaluation and Compensation and Administration and Finance Committees.
During Kirk's tenure, the board approved and developed the University's successful football program and initiated several construction projects, including the S.B. Ballard Stadium at Foreman Field renovation, a state-of-the art theater and the Darden College of Education building.
Kirk also co-founded the Women's Initiative Network, a mentoring program for female students, with the University's First Lady, Kate Broderick. Kirk continues to volunteer with the group.
"Pam is an enthusiastic ODU supporter. More than that, she has been a key player in many campus initiatives that have significantly strengthened the University's mission," said Old Dominion University President John R. Broderick. "But, perhaps most importantly, Pam has repeatedly and selflessly leveraged her broad leadership abilities to mentor our students and ensure they have every advantage when entering the workforce.
"While Fred Whyte's absence on the board will continue to be deeply felt, I am confident Pam will step ably into his shoes and continue to be an ardent advocate for the entire campus community," President Broderick continued.
Professionally, Kirk has extensive experience in the acquisition and retention of retail, industrial and office properties. As the marketing director for Simon DeBartolo Group, she worked on regional and national marketing campaigns valued at $250,000 to $1 million. She worked with advertising agencies to brand retail centers and develop test site and seasonal marketing campaigns. She also trained new directors and handled several aspects of property management for retail centers.
Kirk also worked for an Armada Hoffler subsidiary as the director of business development, responsible for generating new business, cultivating clients and creating customer retention strategies. Additionally, she has worked as an independent marketing consultant for companies including The Virginia Symphony Orchestra.
Whyte was appointed to the University's Board of Visitors in 2010 and served as rector from 2013 to 2014. At the time of his death, Whyte served as chair of the board's Administration and Finance Committee and a member of the Student Enhancement and Engagement Committee.
He was president of Virginia Beach-based STIHL Inc. for 23 years until his retirement in 2015.