Governor Gilmore Appoints Robertson, Leto to Virginia Economic Development Partnership Board

Richmond - Governor Jim Gilmore today announced the appointments of M.G. "Pat" Robertson, of Virginia Beach, and James J. Leto, of Reston, to the Board of Directors of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP).

"Pat Robertson and James Leto will bring a tremendous amount of business experience and leadership to the Board of Directors of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership," Governor Gilmore said. "Because these men are successful businessmen, I truly believe they will help continue Virginia’s successes of luring new companies to the Commonwealth and expanding existing companies."

M.G. "Pat" Robertson is the co-chairman of International Family Entertainment, Inc. (IFE). He has founded The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc. (CBN), IFE, Regent University, Operation Blessing International Relief and Development Corporation, American Center for Law and Justice and several other organizations and broadcast entities. Most recently, he said he would form a banking-by-telephone venture in the U.S. with the Bank of Scotland, and was appointed to the board of Laura Ashley PLC. Robertson graduated magna cum laude from Washington and Lee, and later served as the assistant adjutant of the First Marine Division in combat in Korea – promoted to first lieutenant in 1952 upon his return to the U.S. He earned his juris doctor from Yale University Law School in 1955 and a master’s degree from New York Theological Seminary in 1959.

James J. Leto recently retired as chairman and chief executive officer of PRC, a position he held for three years. He joined PRC in January 1992 serving as senior vice president of business development, and senior vice president and general manager of the PRC business unit specializing in systems engineering and professional services. Before working at PRC, Leto was vice president and general manager of the AT&T Federal Systems Computer Division in Washington, D.C. and president of AT&T Canada Inc. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Wayne State University in 1966, and later earned his executive Master of Science degree from Pace University in 1981. Leto completed the executive management program at the University of Virginia’s Colgate Darden Graduate School of Business in 1985.

The Board of Directors of VEDP reports annually to the Governor on the status of the implementation of the comprehensive economic development strategy, and recommends legislative and executive actions related to the implementation of the comprehensive economic development strategy.

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