Virginia Tech rector removed from position, Spanberger says
The Virginian-Pilot • • nation
Key Points:
- Gov. Abigail Spanberger has removed John Rocovich from his position as rector of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors, citing violations of rules requiring board members to act in the university's best interests.
- The removal was based on Virginia code allowing the governor to dismiss board members for “malfeasance, misfeasance, incompetence, or gross neglect of duty.”
- Ed Baine, a Dominion Energy executive and current board member, has been appointed to complete Rocovich’s term ending June 30 next year.
- Sharon Brickhouse Martin, an executive at VHC Health with ties to Virginia Tech, will join the board immediately, ahead of her previously announced July 1 start date.
- Details of the specific misconduct leading to Rocovich’s removal have not been disclosed, and the university declined to comment beyond confirming the governor’s notification.