Governor names five to Fort Monroe Authority

By Julian Walker
The Virginian-Pilot
© August 13, 2010

RICHMOND

The new authority deciding the future of Fort Monroe is about to get five new members.

Gov. Bob McDonnell's appointees to the Fort Monroe Authority, expected to be announced today, are G. Robert Aston Jr., president and CEO of Towne Bank; Colin G. Campbell, president and CEO of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; Freedom Automotive President James Church; Kim Maloney, president of Williamsburg Pottery; and John R. Lawson II, president and CEO of commercial construction company W.M. Jordan.

A law that took effect July 1 established the authority as a successor to the Fort Monroe Federal Area Development Authority.

The authority is charged with overseeing the transition of the Hampton property from an Army base to state control as the military prepares to vacate in 2011.

By law, the board comprises the state secretary of commerce and labor, secretary of natural resources, the state delegate and senator whose districts include Fort Monroe, two representatives of the Hampton City Council and five gubernatorial appointees.

When the board meets

Aug. 23, members are expected to receive briefings on plans to preserve the property and protect the historical legacy of Fort Monroe, authority Executive Director Bill Armbruster previously told The Pilot.

Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com